Freezing your own Hashbrowns/Potatoes

Discussion in 'The Green Patch' started by Tully Mars, Mar 17, 2015.


  1. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    Have any of you frozen your potatoes? I've looked online and there seems to be a couple of different lines of thought. One calls for baking the potatoes then shredding and freezing. Another says to blanch for 10 minutes then shred and freeze,and still another says to shred first then blanch for 3 minutes drain and freeze.Lastly, another says to just shred and freeze. Any thoughts?
     
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  2. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    Never done it, but personally I would shred, rinse out the access starch in cold water, drain and run through a salad spinner to remove excess moisture, then vacuum bag and freeze.

    Shoot!! Just re-read this and forgot! Blanch before freezing....
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2015
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  3. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    We cook the hashbrowns first, then freeze them. No problem with quality once reheated. Of course they're not frozen for more than a few weeks/a month.
     
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  4. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    Back in my younger (read poorer) days I worked as a runner in a high class restaurant, learned lots of stuff, like every salad dressing known to mankind, and that you buy mayonnaise in a 5 gallon box, and store it at room temperature, lasts forever. The chefs would make french fries, by blanching them and then freezing, I guess if you don't blanch first they turn black.
     
  5. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    We use Institutional DeHydrated HashBrowns, every Sunday for Brunch.... Comes in a Giant Waxed Milk Container.... Just shake a couple of cups into a bowl, and add Hot Water.... Let stand for 5 minutes, Drain, and slap in the FryPan, with a thin layer of OliveOil. Cook for 5 minutes a side, and serve, with Eggs and BACON..... Been our standard Meal for decades....
     
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  6. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    I've used(and like) the Hungry Man dehydrated hashbrowns. They sound similar to yours only in a much smaller container. Hadn't thought about looking for the food service size,honestly didn't know they made them. I'm wanting to find ways of putting up as much of our potato harvest as I can from the garden and that's what got me to the freezing line of thought. Good post BT:)
     
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  7. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    I ran into troubles just trying to make my own fresh hashbrowns. Here's what I found - and it has worked for me every time:
    • Shred potatoes into a pot.
    • Cold water rinse (I do it twice or more, until the starch disappears/water's clear) - I drain through a colander each time, so the are thoroughly rinsed.
    • Add Cold water - enough just to cover the potatoes
    • High heat, until they just come to a boil
    • Drain. I also rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
    • They're now ready to cook or freeze without discoloration. :)
     
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  8. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Suggest me a shredder? Am fed to the eyeballs trying to find decent frozen hashbrowns.
     
  9. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    After posting my instructions, I ran home (and made hashbrowns) using a regular, little shredder. That worked well, too. I've also made the little cubed hashbrowns using the above (quick boil) method.

    However, I have an amazing shredder that's similar to a rotary grater. I've looked all over the internet and can't find one like it. I'll take a photo of it for you. It has many different slice/shred sizes and is super-industrial-amazing! I can make wavy/plain potato chips with it, as well as shred or slice any/every thing I want. :D
     
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  10. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    [​IMG]
    Here's the one I have. It's awesome. Salad Master / Five Star. Made in America. [flag]
     
  11. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Thanx. Might have to get one. These frozen excuses are poor excuses.
     
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  12. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 27, 2015
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  13. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Momma has a Kitchen Maid Mixer that has the same type attachments as Tracy's Hand Machine.
     
  14. Tracy

    Tracy Insatiably Curious Moderator Founding Member

    I have (and have gone through) quite a few blender/mixer/food processors throughout this device's lifetime. If it can survive my kitchen - it'll make it through most everyone's! [bateye]
     
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  15. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    Just scored one on ebay for 25bux!:)
    Just happened to see it shortly after it was posted and hit the "buy it now" option. These things are going for well over $100.00 in many cases on Ebay and amazon. They appear to be very sought after little units.
     
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  16. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I question if you have to dry them after the boil but pre-freeze. I would think they would be prone to freezer burn if you freeze them wet. Does anyone know? Example- when you freeze berries, you put them dry on a pan freeze then bag.
     
  17. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    An off grid, hand operated shredder is definitely a plus. Now....replace the hand winder with a drive belt doo-hickey, powered by a pelton wheel and you'd definitely be in business....
     
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