Can I freeze fresh leeks?

[COOLTRIKERCHICK]

i bought some leeks, which i have used in soups etc.... but i have one left, so rather than waste it.....i was going to freeze it....

so the questions are... can you freeze them ?

do you need to blanch them ?

or just cut it up and freeze..

i know its only one leek, but i really got to get back into the habbit of not throwing things out again..


thanks.....

[overlykeensaver]

hmmm - if you want to freeze it I would blanch it first. Chop, wash and throw in some boiling water for 30 seconds would do it - this is just a guess though!

[newlywed]

I use them instead of onion in risotto or in an omelet.

sorry don't know about freezing them.

[Gingham Ribbon]

I would chop it and fry it first, then it's ready to start something off when it's defrosted - anything you use onion in, you can substitue leek very nicely.

[janeym8]

i just cut up,wash if they are a bit earthy,then freeze-i never blanch anything as they say life is too short to ...................................

janey xxx

[mcbiddy]

i reckon leaks keep better when frozen before cooking: the structure holds better that way and they don't get water-logged before freezing (which would break them down even further as the ice crystals form). plus you don't have to decide what you're going to do with them weeks in advance....

[Bambam]

We grow our own leeks and if we have some still in the ground but need harvesting we collect them in, chop them up and blanche for about 1 minute in boiling, salted water. Freeze in portionable sizes.

When defrosted, gently fry until golden and stir through some buttery mashed potato.

Also delicious stirred through a cheese sauce and poured over cooked cauliflower and broccoli and gently browned in the oven. Mmmmmm

[kissmekate]

Hi

Need to clear my veggie patch but I have a glut of leeks leftover. Question is...

Can I freeze fresh leeks? if so how.

Otherwise Im going to be making pints and pints of leek and Pot soup.

Thanks
kissmekate

[Penelope Penguin]

Hi, I had a similar problem (?) last year. I washed the leeks, split them in 2 lengthways, and sliced. Put in a freezer bag and froze them. They lasted just great!

HTH, Penny. x

[Firehorse]

Must confess I often freeze these too. Usually, I slice and open freeze, then pop into a bag and use as required.

I think technically most veg is supposed to be blanched (quick dip in boiling water), but confess to never doing this and everything seems to be fine so far.

[amyandoli]

I top and tail them, slice into 1.5cm chunks, blanch, cool, and freeze them on a tray not touching, then put in bag. keep green and white ends in seperate bags, and use green end for soups and stews. I also have a dehydrated stash in a big kilner, took 2 days to dry.

[Pink.]

Hi kate,

We have an older thread that should help so I've merged your thread with it to keep all the suggestions together.

This thread might give you some ideas on how to use them up too:

What to do with oodles of leeks?


Pink

[bigpaddles]

Hi Guys
Apart from open freezing, i also cook leeks and onions together and puree them and freez them in portions ready for soups etc.

Hope this helps

[zippychick]

Thanks Bigpaddles, welcome to OS!

[jc2703]

just slice and freeze. best used for soups etc and cooked from frozen. not my wisdom - i googled :-D

[Olliebeak]

I buy up any 'whoopsied' leeks that I see in the supermarket and freeze them (just trim, rinse off any dirt/grit and slice). I even freeze the 'trimmings' for putting into my slow cooker scouse . The only bits that get thrown out are the very bottom stump bit and the really coarse end of the dark green tops.

[p00]

Aldis had leeks on offer a couple of times lately so I buy them then cut them up and freeze them for soups and pies and they are fine. In fact I buy most things on offer at Aldi and freeze them anyway
xxp00

[kittie]

almost all my leeks are frozen. Split if dirty as easier to wash, slice, wash, drain and spread on t towels. Bag and freeze. They are one of the greatest standbys in my freezer

[jenster]

aldi was doing leeks as one of there "super5" so i bought some well a few actually LOL-- wizzed em in the food processor with some garlic and onions i had - froze them in packs (poundland freezer bags) and i use them in shep pies spag bols ect

[cambourne7]

I have just used some frozen leeks they were soft and did not cook well and when eaten tasted foul in fact husband said they tasted almost fermented like whiskey. Never going to try that again we both feel ill having eaten only a tiny amount of them