Preparing the veg for Christmas Dinner - freezing?

[Ceolas]

We were discussing cooking the big feast at toddlers a couple of weeks ago and the general concensus was to prepare as much in advance. Sounds good to me.

One woman was advocating parboiling and freezing everything several days in advanc. What do we think of this? Anyone done it?

I am getting a Tesco delivery on Thursday evening and it would be great to get it done and in the freezer then.

anyone?

Grief no. BUt then I like my veg crunchy not boiled for hours.
Potatoes can be peeled day before and left in cold water. So can sprouts and probably parsnips and carrots if you really can't do them on the day. Or peeled and put in air tight container ready to be chopped on teh day.
What else will you be doing quantities of that require so much pre preparation?

Personally I don't think you should leave veg in water for too long - I heard it leeches a lot of the goodness out. I suppose it depends on how many you are catering for. It is really only a big chicken dinner after all.

I am parboiling potatoes and parsnips on Christmas Eve and then laying out on baking tray ready for roasting, then refrigerating. Delia recommends this.I shall peel and cut sprouts and carrots and put them in a ziplock bag ready for cooking too, do this every year. No need to freeze, just fridge, or in our house, leave in futility room as its like a coldbox atm. Who needs an extra fridge in this weather?

I've got sprouts prepared and in the freezer, and carrots and parsnips ready for the next time I do a roast (not Christmas because we're going to my mum's). I did the carrots and parsnips last time, as I'd bought far too much - just peeled and chopped them and popped them in a bag, no parboiling required.

If it's just the night before the meal, I'd put them into airtight containers in the fridge instead of bothering to freeze them. And I'd peel potatoes and put them in cold water at some convenient time on the day itself, rather than try to do them in advance.

I read this and found it helpful:

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1328728/Christmas-dinner-CAN-stress-free--long-start-cooking-NOW.html

No I'm not catering for an army, but just would prefer to be spending time with the kids than hours on end in the kitchen.

Hadn't planned on boiling anything for hours either.

I have my potatoes in the freezer already, boiled and covered in oil, to put into a hot oven, the braised cabbage is done too. And the gravy.

I'm only feeding 4 adults and 1 child but plan to put my feet up this year and enjoy the day, instead of flopping into a chair about 9pm and wondering where the day went to.

I will do the parsnips over the next few days too. I won't do the carrots as I'm not fond of the texture they go after freezing, but will prep them on Christmas Eve and put into sealed bag in bottom of fridge.

If it doesn't taste as good as 'fresh' cooked, then I won't do it again

Good link, lucy. Thanks

I absolutely agree - I don't want to be in the kitchen for a minute longer than I need to be. I want to enjoy the day with the rest of my family. Preparation is the only way to achieve this, unless you have a microwaved ready meal or something.

I have the following in my freezer already:

stuffing
cranberry sauce
bread sauce
potatoes (ready to roast from frozen)
carrots
cocktail sausages wrapped in pancetta
spiced red cabbage

this weekend I will get busy with a stack of baking. I like to have all the cookies etc in the freezer and bring out as needed rather than be faffed baking from scratch between christmas and NY.