It's that time of the year...gardening season. During gardening season many of us are preparing to gather vegetables for the freezer. We check vegetables already frozen move them around and make room for new packages of foods. But while we are taking inventory, we need to think about the proper packaging materials to use for home freezing. Foods for the freezer must have packaging materials that will protect their flavor, color, moisture content and nutritional value from the cold, dry conditions of the home freezer.
There are freezer packages that are moisture-vapor resistant, durable, leak proof, flexible and crack resistant at low temperatures. These materials will also resist oil, grease and water. You also need to make sure the packaging you choose will protect foods from absorbing odors. A very important feature is that the packaging is easy to seal and mark. Seals should be taped over with freezer tape when the seal isn't completely tight. You can find freezer tape that is specially designed to stick to packages at freezing temperatures. It's a good idea to use a permanent marker to add the date on each package to show when it was placed in the freezer.
There are two types of freezer packages that work well for home use:
1.Rigid containers...suitable for all foods, especially liquids. These containers can be made of plastic or glass and can often be reused. They are stackable and easy to store in the freezer. It is important to note that sometimes glass containers can easily break at freezer temperatures. You should purchase glass jars made for freezing and canning that are tempered to withstand extremely low temperatures. Also, be sure to purchase wide mouth jars so that removing frozen foods will be much easier.
2.Flexible bags or wrappings...suitable for dry packed products that contain very little liquid. These packages are usually plastic freezer bags, freezer paper and heavy-duty aluminum foil. Plastic zipper bags are a favorite packaging material and often used for freezing vegetables.
It is always best to purchase your freezer packaging supplies before the peak summer gardening season. Sometimes flexible freezer bags are in low supply so be sure to check with your local store before the last minute. Just remember to take the extra precautions to protect the flavor and appearance of your garden vegetables while preparing to preserve them. Then later during the cold winter months when you enjoy your frozen vegetables, you'll be glad you made the extra effort.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_McNeal
Sunday 27 June 2010
Tuesday 8 June 2010
The Secret of Successfully Freezing Foods Easily and Safely
Freezing foods is the process of inactivating harmful micro organisms in our food through a 100 degree Celsius temperature in our freezers. Freezing is a safe and convenient way of preserving foods because even though it is frozen, the food maintains its flavour and nutrients. Prepared foods, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fishes and pastries can undergo freezing. The foods that cannot be freeze are the food in cans and eggs in shells. There are also foods that don't freeze well such as gravies, cheese, spices, gelatines, puddings and custards.
In freezing foods, there are certain preparations on foods needed before you freeze them. Before freezing vegetables, they must be blanched first to prevent discoloration and to maintain its flavour. In fruits, it must undergo dipping before freezing. Dipping is the process of putting syrup, sugar water or juice on fruits before packing. Meats are best to freeze in supermarket wrapping just the way you bought it. Fishes must be gutted and clean before freezing. Pastries must be placed in sealed bags.
There are certain guidelines and tips in freezing foods like always selecting the foods in their best quality; it really affects foods even though it is preserved if it's not fresh. Use vacuum seal bags or airtight bags for freezing foods. It is important to divide in small portion the foods to be freeze for easy thawing. Never overload your freezers. Defrost frozen foods in refrigerator or in running cold water. Never put hot foods in freezers, let them cool first before freezing. Always remember to cook food immediately once it has defrosted before microbes activates. Label all bags before freezing to know necessary details to identify which comes out first.
Freezing foods is really easy to do especially if you know all the basics and guidelines in freezing. This method in preserving food is really a good idea of preserving food. There no such truth that when food is frozen all nutrients disappear. But as you learn it here in this article, it is much preserved and is really safe for us. Following all these tips and guidelines will always provide you quality foods in your home. It gives convenience to us and makes life easier.
Victoria Stewart is a home canning and preserving food expert.
Learn How You Can Effortlessly Can and Preserve Your Own Food, In Your Own Home - And Save HUNDREDS Of Dollars Each Year! Discover more information about freezing foods, visit http://www.guidetohomecanning.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_A_Stewart
In freezing foods, there are certain preparations on foods needed before you freeze them. Before freezing vegetables, they must be blanched first to prevent discoloration and to maintain its flavour. In fruits, it must undergo dipping before freezing. Dipping is the process of putting syrup, sugar water or juice on fruits before packing. Meats are best to freeze in supermarket wrapping just the way you bought it. Fishes must be gutted and clean before freezing. Pastries must be placed in sealed bags.
There are certain guidelines and tips in freezing foods like always selecting the foods in their best quality; it really affects foods even though it is preserved if it's not fresh. Use vacuum seal bags or airtight bags for freezing foods. It is important to divide in small portion the foods to be freeze for easy thawing. Never overload your freezers. Defrost frozen foods in refrigerator or in running cold water. Never put hot foods in freezers, let them cool first before freezing. Always remember to cook food immediately once it has defrosted before microbes activates. Label all bags before freezing to know necessary details to identify which comes out first.
Freezing foods is really easy to do especially if you know all the basics and guidelines in freezing. This method in preserving food is really a good idea of preserving food. There no such truth that when food is frozen all nutrients disappear. But as you learn it here in this article, it is much preserved and is really safe for us. Following all these tips and guidelines will always provide you quality foods in your home. It gives convenience to us and makes life easier.
Victoria Stewart is a home canning and preserving food expert.
Learn How You Can Effortlessly Can and Preserve Your Own Food, In Your Own Home - And Save HUNDREDS Of Dollars Each Year! Discover more information about freezing foods, visit http://www.guidetohomecanning.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_A_Stewart
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