Freezing Mustard Greens?

[CBdragons]

I have three two-month old dragons and they simply do not eat their greens before they go bad. Can I blanch and freeze them or no?

 

[bobbycarp]

Yes.

 

[Mistyck]

They won't have the nutrients that they have while they're fresh...When you blanch veggies it takes some of the nutritional content out of them. While yes, you can do it, we don't suggest it. Fresh is best, not frozen and thawed.

 

[bobbycarp]

Let's spell out blanching.

Water soluble vitamins are reduced. C, B

Fat soluble vitamins are Protected A D E K

Some reduction in Anti-oxidants

Plant sterols are protected.

Minerals can be reduced but if you blanch in hard water, unlikely.

Nutrient loss starts as soon as the veggie/fruit is removed from the plant and cutting them makes it worse. So blanching soon can actually help you out in some ways and increase minerals like calcium if blanched in hard water.

Blanching still looks better than throwing it away and the losses may not matter. Many use a supplement. Without knowing the weight of everything eaten, starting total nutrient available, blah blah blah we are only guessing and making reasonable attempts to satisfy need. What's to say that a dragon isn't getting more than he really needs with fresh and supplements(wasted money) and blanching to reduce waste and supplementation isn't sufficient at lower cost.

 

[Mistyck]

So blanch the veggies, but freezing them and then thawing them out isn't as nutritious as fresh. PERIOD.

 

[kjinxx2]

So blanch the veggies, but freezing them and then thawing them out isn't as nutritious as fresh. PERIOD.

From what I've read, blanching/freezing vegetables actually locks in more nutrients than having them sit in your refrigerator (and in the supermarket).

 

[Mistyck]

That's not what I've heard, but hey, might learn something new. Will ask a friend who's a chef...I still wouldn't serve frozen/thawed veggies to a beardie...My guy likes crisp veggies, and won't eat them any other way.

 

[bobbycarp]

There are a lot of variables. If your buying produce grown in poor depleted soil it won't have the nutrition you are expecting anyways.

Bottom line is If you have a healthy pet then whatever you are doing for them is working. Whether feeding them fresh, blanched, or man made beardie food. I certainly wouldn't throw greens away that can be preserved and still provide darn good nutrition and in some ways better than fresh that's been sitting in your fridge.