Asparagus + Mint Baby Food Recipe (freezer-friendly!) - Baby Foode (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze asparagus purée? ›

(You may need to process the asparagus in 2 batches). Pour purée into dated freezer containers; when cool, cover and freeze. The purée will keep in the freezer up to 1 year.

Some of the easiest veggies to prepare and freeze as baby food include sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, parsnip, broccoli, peas, potato, zucchini and cauliflower. Fruit suggestions include mashed/cooked/pureed fruits such as avocado, apple, banana and pear.

Examine for any stringy or fibrous strands and remove before serving. You can also purée asparagus, just make sure you strain it to remove all strings. Babies who have mastered their pincer grasp (usually around 9 months) can practice picking up the asparagus pieces with their fingers.

Offer whole cooked asparagus spears that have been cooked until soft; test for doneness by piercing with a fork. If you steam or boil asparagus, it may become limp and difficult for young eaters to pick up, so consider other preparations like grilling, sautéing, or roasting.

Make sure you blanch or cook the veg first to preserve these elements. Always use asparagus at its peak freshness, and ideally use the thicker asparagus rather than just the tips, as these can become mushier.

But you can't just freeze fresh asparagus spears. You'll need to blanch them first. Blanching asparagus preserves the color and nutrition, and it keeps the texture and taste as close to fresh as possible. If you freeze raw asparagus, you can expect a mushy, mealy mess when it's used.

How long can you freeze homemade baby food? You can store baby food in the freezer for up to six months. I recommend storing in an airtight container with minimal air or headspace. For optimal taste, quality and nutrient retention, consume frozen baby food within 1-3 months.

Storage and Safety

Frozen vegetables and fruits can be thawed, cooked, and frozen. But, just like frozen breastmilk, never re-freeze baby food once the cooked, previously frozen meal has been thawed once.

Freeze no longer than 1 month. Ripe bananas may be pureed or mashed and fed to your baby directly. Cook fresh vegetables or use frozen or canned vegetables without salt or seasoning. (Read labels for ingredients.)

Despite its many health benefits, asparagus is also a food that can cause gas and indigestion in babies. Therefore, for children just starting to eat solid foods, whose digestive system is still immature and not fully developed, parents should not include asparagus in their baby's daily diet.

How do you cook asparagus for babies? ›

Steam asparagus in a steamer basket set over 1 inch of water in a large, covered pot until tender, about 10 minutes; reserve cooking water.

When prepared correctly asparagus is a great blw food for babies 6 months +. So, here's 3 key things to keep in mind when preparing asparagus for your baby: 1) Pick thick stalks over thin. 2) Cook it until it passes the "squish test" 👌🏽. 3) Add some fat and flavor.

Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it. Not only is it labor-intensive, it's really not necessary. Rick Martinez, BA's digital associate food editor, explains that as long as you get rid of the bottom portion of the stalk, the rest is entirely edible.

It's so important to try new flavours at this age, particularly vegetables and bitter flavours, so this is perfect for weaning. Boil asparagus for about 5 mins until soft, or steam for 10 mins. Blend, adding a little of the water it was cooked in (or over) if needed, until it is a smooth consistency.

Freeze purees in ice cube trays or on a cookie sheet

Once the cubes or 'mounds' are solidly frozen, pop them out and store them in plastic freezer bags.

Technically, you can freeze raw, fresh asparagus by just placing the spears in a freezer bag and sealing tightly. However, I don't recommend freezing asparagus without blanching it first. Asparagus easily loses color and texture, and the additional step of blanching prevents these losses.

Asparagus that has been grilled, roasted or sautéed to crisp-tender will fare best after freezing. To freeze, cool cooked asparagus completely before transferring to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Use asparagus within two to three months for best quality.

Transfer the asparagus to freezer bags and label them with the date. Don't overcrowd the bags — these are delicate vegetables, not items in carry-on luggage. You want to keep the pieces in a single layer so they'll freeze quickly and last for up to 8 months.