After a Christmas Day feast, it can be difficult to know what to do with leftovers that are just too delicious to waste.
While meat dishes make tasty sandwiches on Boxing Day, knowing what to do with leftover veg can be tricky, with so many different recipe options.
And as Google searches for “freezing roasted vegetables” have soared by over 5,000% across the UK in the last 30 days, Lily Keeling, registered nutritionist and recipe development manager at meal-box delivery service Green Chef, shares their top tips for ensuring no veg is wasted this Christmas.
Which vegetables can you freeze?
“It’s safe to freeze most types of fresh vegetables, but once they have been cooked, take extra care when separating your leftovers, as some may not freeze as well as others.
“In terms of vegetables that don’t freeze well, you might want to skip peppers, courgettes, cabbage and butternut squash. Typically, vegetables with a high water content will become mushy after defrosting and can lose their flavour.
“But leftover items from your Christmas dinner such as potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and Brussels sprouts can all be easily frozen and reheated for a later date, so long as they have been appropriately thawed before cooking.
“When freezing the veg, make sure to allow them to completely cool, before storing them in an airtight container or zip-top freeze bag, within two hours of cooking. And don’t forget to label and date each one.”
How long can you freeze them for?
“While this will depend on each vegetable, most can be stored safely in the freezer for between 8-12 months.
“When deciding to defrost your leftover veg, carefully inspect the items for freezer burn. This occurs when food has been exposed to air while freezing and while it’s still safe to eat, the taste and texture might not be as you remember it from Christmas Day.
“But if your veg smells rotten once thawed, or the texture has become slimy, it’s best to throw it out rather than reheating.”
What is the best way to defrost veg?
“While most veg can be reheated without thawing, when it comes to defrosting your leftovers, the safest way to do this is by placing the veg on a plate and leaving it on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid leaking onto other foods until completely thawed – this can take a whole day to defrost completely.
“If you’re in a hurry, try putting your frozen veg into a watertight bag and submerging in cold water, until completely defrosted.”
Lily’s top tip for crispy leftover roasties is spritzing them lightly with olive oil before reheating them in the air fryer – half a teaspoon will do for that perfect crunch.
She also recommends keeping veggies crisp by reheating them in the oven or a hot pan for a brief period rather than in the microwave to help preserve their original texture.
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