Ice Ice Baby

So, a squash makes a lot of food and your baby doesn't eat much yet.  The solution?  Freeze!

Here's my method:

1. Try a small amount of the food to make sure your baby likes it before you puree for an army!

2. Prepare food as necessary.  Most fruits and vegetables need to be steamed or baked.

3. Let the food cool before you move on.  Not only will this keep you from causing problems with raising the temperature of your freezer, you will save your fingers from burns.

4. Peel, pit, and puree as necessary.  A food processor or hand mill will really come in handy in big batches!  I have a Kidco Food mill and it's the best of both worlds.  You can get one for about $15.00, and it saves a lot of time without having to buy and store a food processor.

5. Fill ice cube trays with the puree and cover with aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn.  If your baby is very new to solids, include the pure liquid from the puree in the trays.  When the cubes of food are heated this liquid will make them an applesauce consistency.  If your baby is okay with a consistency thicker than this, leave out some or all of the liquid.

6. Once puree is frozen, {it won't be solid like an ice cube even when completely frozen, the cubes will have some amount of 'mushiness' to them} place in plastic bags to store.  You can use regular freezer bags, or milk storage bags like I did in the photo {these are more expensive, but they stack nicely, have clear places for labeling, and they are thicker and more durable in my opinion}.

7. Serve!  Four cubes of food will almost fill a baby bowl, for a reference.  This amount needs to be heated for about a minute to thaw and slightly warm.

Happy spoon feeding!