We recently have been given a new-to-us upright freezer. I'm very excited about putting it to good use, especially as our current freezer is small and overflowing.

There have been several posts lately asking about how specific foods can be freezed for long-term storage. Does anyone know of a post or a website which has an extensive list of foods that are good for freezing and directions for freezing them? I would really love to look at a resource which talks about freezing foods for storage extensively.

I already freeze the following for food storage:

eggs
stale bread (for meatloaf, croutons)
browning bananas
yogurt starters

in addition to the customary frozen meats, prepackaged veggies, orange juice, etc.

Does anyone have info on freezing dried beans, rice and grains, flours, pastas, potatoes, yeast bricks? I try very hard to buy "ingredients" instead of insta-food. If possible, these are some things I'd like to freeze and start keeping on hand. My understanding is that potatoes freeze poorly, so how do frozen hashbrowns and frozen fries get made?

 It is raw potatoes that dont freeze . Frozen fries and hash browns have been cooked almost done before packing. Babs

Joyous:

Does anyone have info on freezing dried beans, rice and grains, flours, pastas, potatoes, yeast bricks?

The only reason to freeze dried beans, grains and flours is to kill any bug eggs that might be in them. Just put them in a sealable container that's easy for you and put them in the freezer. No special handling is needed. They can be removed from the freezer any time after a month or so and kept in a dry, dark place, preferably at room temperature (low 70s) or below. 

babs:

Frozen fries and hash browns have been cooked almost done before packing

 I don tknow. I would start a new post asking the question so more people will see it. I am sure someone will know how to do this. Babs

Thanks, Babs.

 I found a book from our local library - it appears to have perhaps not been checked out since perhaps the 1960s - it's in almost pristine condition. It's called The Complete Book of Home Freezing by Hazel Meyer, and it talks about getting food insurance in case the power goes out! I think it has some good information, but I just wish it was more current.

Hello Joy-ous

You find other uses for your used to new or new to you freezer congradulations I remember when I got my first freezer I still have its  in storage I liked storing up on bread milk and meat you know the usal things even stuff you cooked enjoy ...

cindy

I recently was given a lot of potatoes which I decided to freeze.  I found some info on the internet.  For the hashbrowns, I grated them put them in a metal colander and blanched them for only 1 minute.  Then I drained them and ran cold water over them to cool them.  I put them in a clean towel and squeezed out as much water as I could.  I put ice cream scoops of them on a cookie sheet and froze before putting in ziplock bags.  When I want to eat some, I just take out a scoop or 2, thaw them and cook as usual.  (Squeeze the water out again before cooking).  They're as good as fresh ones.  I also froze mashed potatoes.  I did sliced ones and cubed ones the same as the hash browns, except I blanched them 3 minutes.  When you thaw the sliced ones, they seem flimsy, but if you cook them in a little butter or oil, they come out perfect.

Ooo, thank you, auntbee!

The meats in my freezer seem to last longer and get no freezer burn if I rewrap the packages from the store in freezer paper.