Freezer Queen

I have some friends who are freezer queens. For years they have tried to encourage me to freeze things. Leftovers, lunch meat and bread just being a few of their suggestions. But as for me, I based most my freezer opinions on the bread with freezer burn on it. I decided after a few bread disasters, there would be nothing in my freezer but things from the grocery store.

But then, both my friends and I received a country ham for Christmas. I was overwhelmed. Just the thought of eating ham for a month or two, so it would not be wasted, was more than I could bear. I sheepishly asked what they were doing with their ham? You guessed it. Freeze it. After I recovered from the initial shock, I asked:" Does that  really work and how do you keep it from getting freezer burn?"

My freezer queen friends jumped at the opportunity to train me in proper freezer procedure. I can laugh about it now, but at the time I was so reluctant to try something which now makes my "Thrifty Sissy" heart sing. Yes, my name has been added to the freezer queen roll. I stand amazed at my creativity in the freezer department.

My freezer creativity peaked last November when I took down my fall decorations. I buy at least three bags of candy corn to use in the bottom of the candle holders. As I was taking the candle out, I thought, I wonder if I could freeze this candy for next fall. After all no one eats it. It is just for looks. Really, what did I have to loose? If it didn't work, I could throw it out which was the usual process. But if it did work, I just saved several dollars. My next experiment was to freeze the candy canes I used to decorate the Christmas tree.

Here are the  freezer results: The candy corn was as if it just came from the store; Candy canes were OK, but seem to break a little more easily, but they were still usable. I don't know if the candy canes will last for another season but the candy corn is back in the freezer for next fall.

Even though I am a new believer in the benefits of maximizing the freezer, I want to testify to you. It works and is well worth what little time and effort it takes. When panic strikes about what to fix for dinner, I can open the freezer and pull out some delicious leftover without having to make the meal from scratch. If you have not tried it, don't wait any longer. You can be a freezer queen too.

Happy Thrifty Freezing to All!