Vegetables (mange tout) - long term storage

MargeSimpson

This year has been such a learning curve! I have so much mange tout I don't know what to do with. Rolling Eyes

I tried blanching and freezing them. But they turn to mush when I defrost them. That's about all the solutions google comes up with.

Is there any other way I can store large amounts of mange tout!
(My peas are just beginning to swell, so I can see the same problem happening with them Embarassed

)

tippben · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:28 pm Post subject:

I have two suggestions. First, reduce the blanching time, and make sure you immediately refresh them in iced water. Try 20/30 seconds. Secondly, they make fine pea soup, so if you have a glut, I'd do that rather than put them in the compost. I'm even going to try pickling them Italian style (vinegar, sugar, salt and flavourings) to see what happens- it works with carrots and cucumbers, mushrooms and courgettes, so why not?

MargeSimpson · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks tippben.
I was blanching them for 2/3 minutes and then dumping them in ice water.
Pea soup is a definite option. I make mixed veg soup so why not pea soup. Never thought of that!!

tippben · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:48 pm Post subject:

peas, stock (veg or chicken) to cover, add mint, and boil until just soft enough to blend. Whizz up with a blender, then season to taste. A bit of butter, cream and parsley is nice. This freezes very well. If you don't like small pea fibres, you can put it through a seive to make it smooth.

MichaelF · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 3

Hi MargeSimpson
Yours is distressing news as this is my 1st year of mange touts and they've all gone in the freezer. Actually I've had a bigger problem someone might comment upon. My pea plants were stripped by snails. Now I don't mean a few nibbles here & there. They took residence in the plant and systematically stripped the leaves. They would move from plant to plant via the branches-like tarzan- so there'd be no value in slug pellets on the ground. Has anyone else experienced this?

Blowin · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:01 am Post subject:

Another possible use, if you don't manage to freeze them successfully, is pea pod wine.

I don't make it myself but a neighbour takes all mine once the peas are taken out and says they make an excellent brew.