One of my favorite sections of my local produce stand is the discounted produce section. I often find great deals on produce that might have a few dings or scratches but is overall still in great shape. The other day I scored 2 bags of red peppers and a box of mangos for just over $5.
12 red peppers for $0.30 each.
6 Mangos for $0.28 each.
When I got home, I set to work to flash freeze these for later use. Line a cookie sheet with waxed (or parchment) paper and lay your cut produce in a single layer.
Ignore the terrible color….it was dark out. 
Then put them in the freezer overnight. In the morning, transfer your frozen produce to storage bags and return to the freezer.
The red peppers are perfect for soups, stews, stir fry, etc. I used them in a Coconut Curry Tofu recipe that was delicious. The mangos are awesome for smoothies. Yesterday, I made a smoothie with mangos, nectarines (flash frozen last summer!) and banana. Yum!
This technique works for lots of different fruits and vegetables. The keys are to cut the produce into the size you will want to use it (for example, I cut the nectarines into slices so they would be easy to add to smoothies) and to freeze them in a single layer.
What produce have you flash frozen?
Thank you for the tip! I always wondered what flash freezing was. Stopping by from SITS Girls!
Thanks for stopping by, Justine.
I usually flash freeze peaches and berries. I’ve thought about doing it with mangos but not peppers. Great idea.
Linda recently posted..For All The Tea In China by Sarah Rose
I’m still working on the nectarines and blackberries from last summer. Trying to finish them up to make room for the this years fruits!
Erin recently posted..Flash Freezing Produce to Save Money
Such a helpful post! This will be great to remember when I buy something with the intent to use it, but then don’t. Now I know I can freeze it!
Tiffany recently posted..What Mamas Should Remember
Thanks, Tiffany. You might also want to check out my awesome banana bread recipe that uses frozen bananas. I always seem to have a few that get too ripe before I can eat them.
http://www.simplyfrugalmom.com/2012/02/13/the-best-banana-bread/
I’ve only done blueberries, but I didn’t know what I was doing was flash freezing. Great idea. Stopping by from SITS.
Laura recently posted..Fake robbers
Thanks for stopping by, Laura. I love to flash freeze blueberries as well.