Jakarta - Freezing food is one way to reduce food waste by preserving it, so that in the future the food can be consumed again.
According to People, Monday (10/2), not all foods are suitable for freezing, some of them actually lose their texture, even become uncooked, and cannot be consumed after being thawed. To avoid the mistake of freezing food, here are 15 types of food that should not be frozen and solutions to keep them fresh.
1. Milk and cream based sauces
Freezing milk or cream may seem like a great way to extend the shelf life, but these ingredients tend to separate when thawed, resulting in a lumpy, watery texture. The same goes for cream-based soups and sauces.
2. Green vegetables for salad
Leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, kale have high water content, so when frozen it will damage the original texture of the vegetable. It is not recommended to freeze lettuce and other leafy greens that will be served in fresh salads.
However, if the greens will be served in the form of soups and smoothies , it is okay to freeze the greens.
3. Cooked pasta
Freezing cooked pasta often results in a chewy, mushy texture when reheated. Consider freezing the sauce separately from the fresh pasta if needed. If you plan to freeze pasta, cook it to the proper doneness ( al dente ) and toss it with a little oil before storing.
4. Raw potatoes
Like green vegetables, raw potatoes cannot be frozen because they have a high water content and can become mushy when thawed. To make potatoes last longer, store raw potatoes in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight for long-term storage.
However, if you plan to store potatoes in the freezer to make them easier to process in the future, then cooking or boiling them is a good choice.