Storing fruits and vegetables
		Storing delicate foods
		Storing liquids or moist foods

• It is essential that vegetables are correctly blanched before freezing, as blanching removes dirt and bacteria. Most importantly, blanching stops the enzyme action which destroys the fresh flavor, color, and texture of your vegetables. Watch your vegetables carefully as you blanch. Under-blanching actually stimulates enzyme action and over-blanching removes color and vitamins.
• To Blanch: drop 1 pound of vegetables at a time into 1 gallon of rapidly boiling water. Use 2 gallons of boiling water for leafy vegetables. Cover and begin timing immediately. Follow the Blanching Chart for proper times. Remove blanched vegetables with a slotted spoon and plunge into ice cold water. The same boiling water may be used for 6 to 10 batches of blanching.
• Cool the vegetables and divide into meal-sized portions in Seal-a-Meal Vacuum Storage Bags.
• You can freeze individual portions of vegetables and fruit before sealing. Simply spread the cooled fruit or vegetables on a baking sheet, allowing enough room so each piece of food freezes individually. Pack and seal the pre-frozen vegetables or fruit as directed above.
• Seal-a-Meal Vacuum Storage Bags can go directly from the freezer to the microwave or boiling water. To prepare frozen vegetables for a meal, place the entire bag in a saucepan of boiling water, or snip the corner of the bag and microwave the vegetables.
• Produce such as onions, beets, winter squash, and pumpkin should not be blanched. Simply wash, chop and spread on a baking sheet before sealing and freezing. Create vegetable mixes, such as onion, garlic, and pepper and store for easy additions to recipes.
• Wash and dry leafy vegetables, like spinach, lettuce, and chard for refrigerator storage in Seal-a-Meal Vacuum Storage Canisters or Bags. To use, open the canister, take the amount needed and re-seal the canister. You can store leafy vegetables in canisters in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Seasonal berries stay fresh in the refrigerator when stored in a Seal-a-Meal Vacuum Storage Canister. To use fresh berries, open the canister, remove the amount needed and re-seal. The berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.