honeebuns's Journal, 01 September 2023

I washed and froze the grapes for snacks, made a small tub of guac and froze for labor day festivities, diced up and froze the pears for smoothies and baking, made two apple pies and froze unbaked in preparation for Thanksgiving. 😁 

I have been doing this for years and know what mornings they rotate out stock from previous nights delivery. Not for lack of finances but it feels empowering to know how to shop.  

I have never froze grapes before but someone mentioned it in a post so thought I would give it a try. 

Wow. Frozen grapes are gross. put them frozen in a glass 🍷 of wine use as an ice cube. 

Thanks for the tip on the grapes. A backup plan is never a bad idea.  

my hubby actually likes frozen grapes, to each their own! 

Asarver I just tried a few and they aren't bad frozen. I also slice and freeze kiwi which is awesome just like a Popsicle but better.  

I also make a pan roasted chicken with red grapes, garlic and rosemary. I think frozen will work fine in that recipe. Also may work in a Waldorf salad if added as last ingredient before serving...lots of possibilities. 

Good deals, more markets should do that. Seen lots of over ripe fruits 

I like frozen fruit, I'll let it defrost at room temp for just a little bit then enjoy, especially fresh strawberries that I frozen and then defrost just a bit :-)  

Super... Fellow NC member. Harris Teeter is where I shop for reduced items. 11:00 seems to be the bewitching hour when the produce managers rotate stock.  

JMA I am the same about frozen fruit. I don't buy frozen fruit in the grocery and prefer to freeze fresh fruit. But some fruits like oranges you really can't freeze. 

Very Nice! 

I have never seen fruit reduced for a quick sale. I think I would stock up on it if I would see it. Do you know I’ve never froze fresh fruit, do you keep it whole or do you cut it up? What fruits are not good to freeze? 

Vicki I actually haven't had a fail when it comes to freezing fruit. Apples sliced up were tricky frozen but never something I liked to bite in fresh but because i prefer apples in oatmeal or in a compote, smoothie or a dessert frozen works. The key step I found is to lay whatever sliced/diced fruit on a tray and to freeze until solid and then transfer to a gallon baggie. Otherwise it just freezes in a big clump. Right now in my freezer in fruits I have fresh frozen grapes, strawberries, mango, pineapple, pears, bananas, raspberries. Other items I have are chopped onions, butternut squash, pumpkin, roasted potatoes, mixed peppers and onions, roasted red potatoes, mushrooms, ginger, cocoanut, asparagus, that's off the top of my head and probably many more. All of that purchased at a discount.  

Vicki.. Another thing I purchased was 3 2 cup tubs of fresh mango pineapple salsa from the deli department at a reduced price. Seperated that into smaller portions in a cupcake tray and froze and then popped into a gallon baggie. I also purchase large size containers of staples like pasta sauce or tomato sauce not at a discount and then seperate into smaller portions and freeze. The most important appliance in my home is my freezer😁 

Good job! 

Shir I do like fresh fruits that have not been frozen. But many fruits like a banana I have no appetite for to eat. I freeze bananas and mix into oatmeal, a smoothie or thaw and spread on a PB sandwich. Or add a frozen smashed banana into some homeade PB teriyaki sauce on noodles. Call me weird  

I grew up with a very frugal mom, who always shopped the 'rotten rack'. We always prized the deals on overripe produce, dented cans, day old cakes. It was a hunter-gatherer sport for us! 

Erika I also grew up in a home with no food waste. We had a huge garden in the backyard and my mom froze and canned vegetables like crazy. I don't think anything I buy at a reduced price is rotten rather it has a limited shelf life.