Is it possible to freeze fresh asparagus and while I am asking......

[jiminyC_fan]

Can anyone tell me if you can freeze asparagus and if so....HOW? Also, I just had candied apples that brought me back to my childhood (ok, years ago ). Does anyone know how to make them? They are sliced and are red in color. Sweet, too. Mmmmm, would love to make some. HELP ME PLEASE.

 

[GlennandAnn]

You can freeze fresh asparagus. Do you have a food saver? If so, just vacuum seal it. Or, you could just freeze it in a ziploc bag. Just to let you know, I've frozen fresh asparagus and then steamed it to cook it later, and it came out really mushy.

Happy Freezing!!

Ann

 

[doxdogy]

According to the directions below you can freeze asparagus. You will need to blanch it first. Most grocery stores sell the candy apple mix in the box. I have found that for the them to turn out the humidity needs to be fairly low and you will need a candy thermometer. Let me know if works slicing the apples.

Asparagus preparation: Select young, tender stalks with compact tips. Sort according to thickness of stalk.

Wash asparagus thoroughly and cut or break off and discard tough parts of stalks. Leave spears in lengths to fit the package or cut in 2-inch lengths.

Water blanch according to thickness of stalk:

Small stalks - 2 minutes
Medium stalks - 3 minutes
Large stalks - 4 minutes

Cool promptly in cold water and drain.

Pack into containers, leaving no headspace.

When packing spears, alternate tips and stem ends. In containers that are wider at the top than bottom, pack asparagus with tips down.

Seal, label and freeze.

Source: Michigan State Universtiy Extenstion Service.

 

[bicker]

It is essential that you freeze them very quickly, or they'll be intermitably mushy after you defrost them.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thank you so much for the help with the asparagus. I thought that I would share the candied apple recipe that I found in case anyone was interested.
CANDIED APPLES

6-8 McIntosh apples
1/2 lb. candy cinnamon hearts
1/2 c. sugar
3 dashes cinnamon
1 stick cinnamon
1/2 c. water

Cut apples in half, core and pare. Soak in ice water 30 minutes. Heat on stove: candy, sugar, cinnamon, water and cinnamon stick. Boil 10 minutes. Pour over apples in a casserole dish and bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees.

CANDIED APPLE RINGS

2 c. sugar
1 c. water
2/3 c. red cinnamon candies
1 dozen whole cloves (or as desired)
5 to 6 firm apples (depending on size)

Mix syrup of first four ingredients in large fry pan. Peel and core apples. (I like them unpeeled if the skin is not tough.) Slice apples crosswise. Cook apples in syrup, turning often until tender. Watch carefully! Remove to deep platter and pour syrup over apple slices. Chill!