Don't use the aluminum pot. For pickling you need a non-reactive container. That would be stainless steel (though some stainless will pit if the salt isn't totally dissolved in the brine), glass or food-safe plastic.

You can often get food-safe buckets or large canisters from local bakeries, fast-food outlets, etc.

Summer squash freezes beautifully. Here's a link to a previous thread on freezing summer squash. If you enter "summer squash" (including the quotes) in the search window, lots of threads on summer squash will come up. Contained within them are many recipes.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: How do I Put up Squash for the Freezer?

Aluminum in general I'd say, no. It depends on the pans of course as some are steel or Teflon lined. But in my experience, it can interact with the food and with vinegar and some spices. Changes the color and the taste. No big glass bowls you could use?

NCHFP says: "Do not use aluminum, copper,
brass, galvanized or iron containers for fermenting
pickles or sauerkraut."

Summer squash isn't supposed to be canned except as pickles but yes you can freeze it well. We make thick slices, blanch them for 3 minutes over steam, cool in iced water, coat with seasoned cornmeal (we add Cavender's and a bit of flour to ours but you can also use garlic powder or salt or onion powder or any dried spices you like), lay them out on cookie sheets individually in the freezer to freeze, and once frozen we put the slices in serving sized ziplock freezer bags.

Dave

Thanks Carol and Dave for your quick response. One more question, please, regarding freezing the slices in cornmeal, do you defrost before frying?

Thanks again for your help!

Brenda

No, if you defrost they turn to slime and mushy. Fry frozen. Same is true for most anything you would freeze for later cooking such as green or lima beans, tomatoes, etc. Thawing first ruptures the cells in the food. ;)

Dave

Thanks Dave for the response on freezing/frying.

Brenda

Use NON REACTIVE pots for ALL DIRECT food contact. Avoid aluminium of any kind, unless its just to boil water and/or pressure can the jars. Aluminium can release toxins which are still not 100% safe, and can be linked ot many health issues. The same with ALUM, which is also not recommedend much anymore. Even a pot that has lids simmering should not be aluminium as the rubber compound seal now has open pores that can abosorb the minerals while the sealing counpound is hot in water.