As the summer wanes, we must begin stowing away our warm-weather clothes and filling our closets with sweaters, scarves, boots and the like.
Our kitchens are another place that will require a refresh, as we begin bringing our homegrown or farmer’s market crops indoors. Corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, watermelon, and green beans are at their peak flavor and freshness in the summer months, and while fall foods like apples, squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes might be delicious, we don’t have to sacrifice the sweet and tangy produce we loved June through August. Freezing has been used for centuries to preserve the flavor and texture of fresh produce, and new advancements in packaging technology has made it even easier and more convenient for consumers in the modern age.
When freezing your summer foodstuffs, it’s important to avoid overloading your freezer, as it can slow the freezing process. Flat, flexible packaging like foodsaver bags are the best solution for fitting as much fresh produce inside as possible without compromising its quality. It’s also important to let out as much air as possible when packaging your fresh summer produce – flimsy, plastic bags may seem like an easy way to do this, but they really aren’t heavy duty enough for long-term freezing.
Choosing the right food saver vacuum bags is extremely important for maintaining the taste and longevity of your summer produce, but there are a few other key steps you must follow before stowing away your goods to ensure they remain at their optimal freshness. It starts with a clean freezer and a little bit of prep work, so you can incorporate warm-weather flavors into your winter dishes with ease. Follow our five suggested tips below before you begin your freezing process.
1. Blanch vegetables and submerge in ice water
Blanching helps prevent enzymes from compromising the color, flavor, and nutritional content of your food. It also fights against and destroys any existing bacteria or microorganisms that might be living on the outside of your produce. After giving your veggies a refreshing ice water bath, pat them down with a paper towel to make sure they are completely dry.
2. Freeze produce as quickly as possible
Deciding when to store your fruits and vegetables in the freezer is crucial – your best bet will always be to stow them away at their peak freshness. This is a necessary step in reducing mushiness and strange textures that can occur later on during the thawing process.
3. Cut fruits and vegetables into small, uniform pieces
Chopping up your fresh produce before freezing will help the cool temperatures quickly permeate the entire piece of fruit or veggie. You’ll also be able to fit more of the food in a shrink bag or vacuum sealer bag so it can lay flat in your freezer without taking up too much space.
4. Use foodsaver vacuum bags
As previously mentioned, flat, flexible packaging designed for long-term freezing will be your best bet in guaranteeing your produce stays fresh and unharmed in your freezer. Food saver bags work with at-home seal-a-meal vacuum systems, and they are constructed with two unique sides that work together to create a vacuum tight seal. One side is made of clear film, while the other is embossed, allowing the packaging to push out oxygen that jeopardizes the quality of fresh foods.
Using clear, heavy-duty shrink bags for your frozen summer produce will help you easily identify which item is which, and it’s the perfect way to keep your goods organized. This type of packaging can be produced in a wide variety of sizes so it will conform to each chopped fruit or vegetable, helping with the process of kicking air out and locking color, aroma, flavor, and texture inside. These same tips can be used to store fall and winter veggies during summer months, so your meals will always be prepared using the finest, tastiest ingredients year round.
(Image Sources: Design Mom, Washington Post, Reluctant Entertainer)
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