You Never Heard Of Freeze Drying Tater Tots?
Well, you’re in good company! Up until a coupla years ago, I never woulda thunk of freeze drying tater tots, myself!
But, nowadays, I cash in on great sales of these tasty little Ore-Ida munchkins at the supermarket. I buy a ton – and freeze dry the bulk of them – because it’s such a simple, straightforward process – requiring very little effort on my part.
Getting Tater Tots Ready For The Freeze Dryer
All ya gotta do is empty bags of Ore-Ida Tater Tots onto the freeze drying trays. I can usually get a whole bag of them on each tray.
Then, following the guidelines discussed in Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer Operation, I set up my Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer for “non-liquid” and “frozen” – making sure the drain valve is closed – and start the process.
NOTE: It is best to keep all the bags of Ore-Ida Tater Tots frozen prior to freeze drying the tater tots. It prevents the prospects of introducing harmful germs. We don’t want to get food poisoning – so, take all precautions!
The tater tots are done – totally freeze dried – usually within 24 – but, no more than 36 – hours.
Here are before and after pictures. If I didn’t tell you which was which – you’d never be able to tell the “frozen tater tots ready to be freeze dried” from the “freeze dried tater tots!”
Before
After
What To Do After Freeze Drying Tater Tots?
It goes without saying that they need to be stored properly – to ensure that they will have a long and healthy shelf life.
The best advice is to place them in Mason jars – each jar containing an oxygen absorber – and vacuum pack them using a Foodsaver Vacuum System – coupled with a Foodsaver Mason jar attachment.
Now, they’re preserved for up to 25 years – as long as the vacuum in the jars is not compromised.
Don’t forget to label the jars with content names and date packed!
How To Eat Freeze Dried Tater Tots
Well, if you use them in a baked casserole – like I enjoy quite frequently, there is no need to re-hydrate them in water prior to cooking. The tater tots will just suck up the juices of the dish being prepared – just as my “world renowned” hamburger/cheddar cheese/tater tot casserole does! Of course, my use of the phrase, “world renowned”, is “tongue-in-cheek” – and only my personal opinion.
However, if you want to enjoy them as they were originally intended – deep fried – or baked in an oven – then the freeze dried tater tots need to soak for a few minutes in cold water.
Next, gently pat them dry with paper towels. And…
Bake them in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for around 10 minutes.
OR
Deep fry them for several minutes.
In either case, they are done when they are golden brown and their outsides are at the level of crispiness desired.
Hats Off To The Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer!
I don’t know how I survived all those years without a Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer! I’ve had one of these amazing freeze dryers for over 4 years and it has paid for itself at least 3 times over! I never – ever – have to throw away foods due to spoilage anymore.
What a phenomenal piece of equipment!
Comments or emails about Harvest Right Freeze Dryers, freeze drying tater tots, or freeze drying questions are welcomed!
