At Refolo, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this uncertain time. You might be stocking up on foods during this time. Fruits and vegetables give your immune system a much-needed defense again bacteria and viruses. If you can, keep some of those in your fridge. Across the United States, and especially in Georgia, farmers’ markets are still open. Many are also delivering fresh foods and produce safely to homes. You can support the local economies through the market and food systems while getting food that will boost your immunity. In this post, we share the hacks to extend the shelf life of that immune system boosting food. With these tips, you can buy in bulk if you want to without the concern of food waste.
TIP 1# Freeze Produce In Portions
Think of freezing like meal-prepping. That means you’ll want to clean and prep your produce first. It’ll make it easier to use the frozen items once they finish freezing. Prepping them beforehand makes it easier for you to grab and go when it times to use the frozen vegetables.
TIP 2# Before you freeze produce blanch your fruits and vegetables
Some frozen produce can go right into the freezer after you prep and clean them if you’re planning on eating them soon. If you plan to keep the items frozen for a little while, try blanching them first. Blanching is a cooking process that helps reduce quality loss over time. First, scald the produce in boiling water, then remove it after a brief interval, and plunge it into iced water to halt the cooking process. This article shares helpful recommendations on how long to blanch popular produce. This video shows the blanching process in action.
TIP 3# Make it easier to defrost and use your frozen produce by freezing it in a single layer first
Bits of produce that are frozen and stuck together can be hard to use when you defrost it later. If you freeze your food in a single layer first, then you can avoid the stuck produce when you’re defrosting.
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