Introducing how to freeze carrots and recipes [Explanation with photos! ]

Are you busy with work or childcare and want to reduce the time you spend cooking?

For those who want to shorten the time required to prepare daily meals, we recommend freezing freshly purchased carrots.

Freezing not only saves you the hassle of cooking, but also preserves the nutritional value of freshly harvested food.

So, this time we will introduce how to freeze carrots and recipes that will save you time while cooking.

Advantages of freezing carrots

By freezing carrots, you can get more nutrition than if you keep them refrigerated, and you can save yourself the hassle of making busy dinners and lunches.

I will explain each in detail.

Increases nutritional value

As time passes after carrots are harvested, their nutritional value gradually decreases.

However, by freezing the food while it is still fresh, you can prevent the nutritional value from decreasing.

This is why frozen carrots may have higher nutritional value than fresh carrots.

This was announced in a paper conducted by Gilliam Bonwick of the University of Chester, UK, in collaboration with Leatherhead Food Research.

According to this paper, frozen food contains twice as much beta-carotene and three times as much lutein as raw food.

Polyphenols and vitamin C are also mentioned as nutrients that can be ingested in higher quantities if frozen.

Saves time and effort

Freezing cut carrots is useful when you don't have much time to make dinner or lunch boxes.

For example, just putting a cute carrot on top of a stew will make it look even more delicious.

It takes a lot of effort to cut out a small amount of carrots and boil them for simmering.

In times like these, it would be convenient to have cutely shaped frozen carrots.

How to freeze carrots

When freezing carrots, it is important to think about what kind of dishes you often make and preserve them.

We will introduce three methods: slicing carrots and freezing them raw, boiling carrots before freezing them, and cooking them before freezing them.

How to freeze raw food

This method is recommended if you want to use it raw, such as in salads, or if you want to save the hassle of freezing it.

①Wash the carrots well and peel them.

② Wipe off the moisture with kitchen paper and cut into easy-to-use shapes.

The key is to cut the meat as thinly as possible so that it has a good texture when thawed.

③ Divide into small portions for easy use, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in a ziplock bag.

The key to delicious freezing is to avoid introducing as much air as possible to prevent oxidation.

④Use rapid freezer or increase the freezer setting to freeze at the lowest temperature possible.

At this time, you can freeze the carrots more quickly and deliciously by placing them in a thin layer in a Ziploc bag and lining them with a metal bat or aluminum foil.

How to freeze and preserve after boiling

For those who want to use larger portions for stews or curries, or for those who want to shorten the cooking time, boiling and then freezing carrots cut into large pieces is a great option.

① Wash the carrots, peel them, and cut them into easy-to-use pieces.

The key is to cut it with the intended use in mind, such as curry or stews.

② Boil water in a pot, add the cut carrots and boil.

If you plan to use it in dishes that need to be reheated, such as stews or curry, it's a good idea to boil it a little harder.

③ Wipe the water well with kitchen paper and place them in a ziplock bag.

Make sure not to overlap too much so that you can take out only the amount you need when you use it.

④Use rapid freezer or increase the freezer setting to freeze the food as quickly as possible at a low temperature.

You can freeze carrots more quickly and deliciously by placing them in a thin layer in a Ziploc bag and lining them with a metal bat or aluminum foil.

How to cook and then freeze

This is a convenient way to prepare and freeze food for lunch boxes.

① Cook carrots with your favorite seasoning.

Recommended dishes include ``Kinpira'', ``Glacé'', and Okinawan cuisine ``Shirishiri''.

② Divide into small portions, wrap in plastic wrap to prevent air from entering, and place in a ziplock bag.

If you are making a bento box, it is convenient to put it in an aluminum cup, wrap it in plastic wrap, put it in a ziplock bag, and store it in the freezer.

③Use rapid freezer or increase the freezer setting to freeze as quickly as possible at a low temperature.

At this time, you can freeze them more quickly and deliciously by placing them in a thin layer in a Ziploc bag and placing them on a metal bat or aluminum foil.

How to thaw frozen carrots and how long to keep them frozen

How to thaw frozen carrots

Frozen carrots can be cooked directly without thawing them.

You can also shorten the heating time by heating large carrots briefly in the microwave before using.

If you want to use it raw, the moisture and vitamins will dissolve if you thaw it naturally, so use the thaw mode on your microwave, or heat it in the microwave at a low temperature as much as possible, keeping an eye on it.

Storage period of frozen carrots

Frozen carrots will last for about 1 to 2 months.

Even if you can store it longer than in the refrigerator, the flavor will gradually deteriorate, so please use it up as soon as possible.

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of carrots

The content of β-carotene is top class
Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. This vitamin A prevents the invasion of bacteria and viruses, strengthens the mucous membranes, and increases immunity.
It is also rich in minerals such as potassium and calcium.

生で食べるときは酢やレモン汁を加えて
にんじんにはビタミンCを破壊するアスコルビナーゼという酵素が含まれています。
アスコルビナーゼは生ですりおろすと活発になるので、ジュースにする時は注意が必要です。
加熱するか、酢やレモン汁を加えると酵素の働きを抑えることができます。
生で食べるときは酢やレモン汁の入ったドレッシングがオススメ☝

Don't peel the skin
Beta-carotene is found in large quantities near the skin, so you can leave the skin as is without peeling it.
If you are concerned about it, peel it as thinly as possible.
Cut the peeled skin into thin strips and use it for kinpira or stir-fries!

Tips on how to choose
■Things that are orange all the way to the top...those that are greenish are hard.
■Things with a greenish cut
■If the cut is thin, the core is thin and the pulp is soft; if the cut is thick, the core is thick and hard.
■No scratches or cracks
■Shiny and firm

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, he also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at Daybreak Co., Ltd., he oversees various food freezing experiments while disseminating food freezing information. My hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 easy recipes using frozen carrots

Pork soup using frozen carrots

Ingredients (for 3 people)
・Pork 100ℊ
・Radish about 5cm
・1/2 frozen carrot
・1/2 burdock root
・1 green onion
・Dashi soup 800cc
・Miso (appropriate amount)
・1 tablespoon sesame oil

<How to make>
1) Stir-fry sliced daikon radish, thinly sliced burdock root, and sliced frozen carrot with pork in a hot pot with sesame oil.

2) Add the dashi stock to 1) and bring to a boil, then add the miso and simmer.

3) Add chopped green onions and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until fully cooked.

4) After serving in a bowl, add chopped green onions, shichimi chili pepper, ginger, etc. to your liking.

Boiled Koya tofu with colorful carrots

☑材料（５人分）
・高野豆腐　30ℊ
・冷凍にんじん　小1本分
・ほうれん草　適量
・出し汁　400㏄
・醤油　大さじ1と1/2
・みりん　大さじ1/2
・砂糖　大さじ1

<How to make>
1) Boil the spinach for about 1 minute, soak in water, squeeze out the water, and cut into 3cm lengths.

2) Boil the dashi stock and seasonings in a pot, then add the dried Koya tofu and carrots that have been cut into desired shapes, parboiled, and frozen.

3) Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

4) After turning off the heat, add the spinach from 1) and let it cool.

5) Cooling allows the flavors to infuse, so let it cool and serve in a bowl.

carrot kinpira

☑材料（アルミカップ3～4つ分）
・にんじん　1本　
・料理酒　大さじ1~2
・醤油　大さじ1~2
・みりん　大さじ1~2
・白ごま　お好みで
・ごま油　適量

<How to make>
1) Cut the carrot into 3-4 cm pieces.

2) Fry the carrots in a frying pan with sesame oil.

3) When it softens, add 2 tablespoons of cooking sake, soy sauce, and mirin if you like it soft, or 1 tablespoon if you like it crunchy.

4) Once the water evaporates, turn off the heat and sprinkle with white sesame seeds.

5) Place in an aluminum cup and freeze.

You can put it frozen in your lunch box and let it thaw naturally.

Pork belly roll with carrot glacé

☑〈材料（2人分）〉
・豚バラ肉　6~8枚
・にんじん　1本
・砂糖　大さじ1
・バター　大さじ1
・レモン果汁　小さじ2
・塩　少々

<How to make>
1) Cut the carrot in half horizontally, then cut the top into 6 equal parts and the bottom into 4 equal parts, then cut the edges.

2) Place the carrots in a small pot, add enough water to cover and seasonings, and bring to a boil to glace.
*If you make a large amount of this and then divide it into portions and freeze them, it will save you time.

3) Wrap the pork belly in frozen glacé (warming it slightly in the microwave will save you even more time), and sprinkle with an appropriate amount of salt and pepper (not listed).

4) Roll it around in a frying pan until it turns brown and it's done.

You can put it frozen in your lunch box and let it thaw naturally.

Carrot potage soup

☑材料（2人分）
・にんじん　1本（約200ℊ）
・無煙バター　20ℊ
・水　ひたひた
・塩コショウ　適量
・牛乳　200㏄（仕上げ用）

<How to make>

1) Peel the carrot and slice it thinly.

2) Put the butter in a pot over low heat and fry the carrots.

3) Stir-fry the carrots slowly over low heat, being careful not to burn them, until they are wilted.

4) Once stir-fried, add enough water to submerge and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and turn off the heat.

5) Once it has cooled down, puree it in a blender.
If the mixer doesn't start, add water little by little.

6) Put the frozen carrot puree in a pot, add milk and bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper and it's done.

If you make step 5 and freeze it, you can easily have potage soup anytime.

Conclusion

What did you think?

We recommend freezing carrots as it saves you the hassle of cooking them.

If you're busy and don't have time to prepare dinner or bento boxes, it's a good idea to freeze them in bulk for when you have time, such as on holidays.

Please try this technique of freezing carrots.