Are you looking for more ways to use your vacuum sealer?
We are here to tell you that you can use it to vacuum pack different fresh produce!
That includes both fruit and veggies and using this technique will drastically cut down the amount that goes to waste because you will be able to store it in your fridge for much longer. If you are interested to know more about how that can be done, just keep on reading.
Vacuum Sealing Vegetables
Prepping Your Veggies
The first thing you need to do when packing your fresh produce is to make sure they are prepared correctly. That means it is always important to clean them completely. For larger vegetables, you can also chop them into smaller pieces so that they fit in the packaging. Another way you can prepare your veggies for vacuum sealing is to pre-blanched them in boiling water, put them into an ice bath and drain them once they are fully cooled down. After that put them into vacuum bags to seal them.
Vacuum Sealing Process
The whole process of vacuum sealing the vegetables is the same as it is with any other foods. You need to do a few steps in vacuum packing food. Simply dry them down and place them into a vacuum bag. As you start the vacuuming process the air will come out of the bag. Once all the air is sucked out, the vacuum machine seals the bag so that no new air can enter inside. That way you have little pockets of fresh veggies you can pop into your fridge or freezer and take them out as an easy side to any meal.
Get More Flavor
Not only will vacuum sealing make your veggies last longer, but it will also help to pack them with flavor. You can vacuum seal your veggies with a marinade and use the package for cooking in vacuum-sealed bags. Since there is no air in the bag you will need to marinate them for a lot less time than you usually would.
How To Reheat Vacuum Sealed Veggies?
There is nothing easier than reheating vacuum-sealed food. If you have used high-quality vacuum bags, which you should have, you can simply put them into boiling water until they get nice and hot. After that, you can remove the bag from the water, open it, and put the veggies straight on your plate. Another way to do it is to cut your vacuum bags open and put the content in the bowl which you will then heat in your microwave. Either way, it shouldn’t take you longer than 10 minutes to do so.
Vacuum Sealing Fruits
Prepping Your Fruit
When it comes to prepping the fruits for vacuum sealing, the steps are pretty much the same just like with veggies. But you need to be a little more careful when you are dealing with fruit such as berries or papayas for example which is a bit too soft for vacuum sealing. Those soft fruits can be frozen before vacuum sealing so you don’t crush them while vacuuming the. If you are using more sturdy fruit you can skip the freezing process and immediately wash them and put them into the vacuum bag for sealing.
Vacuum Seal Sensitive Fruits
Another great way to use vacuum sealing is on fruits that are time-sensitive, such as Avocados that will go bad instantly. It was proven that vacuum sealing helps such fruits to stay fresh for up to 5 times longer.
Foods That Shouldn’t Be Vacuum-Sealed?
The list of foods that shouldn’t be vacuum-sealed is short but includes mushrooms, garlic, and soft vegan cheese. In these items, there might be bacteria and spores so there is a high chance of getting sick if you decide to vacuum seal them.
What Type Of Vacuum Sealer To Use?
There are 2 different kinds of vacuum sealers to choose from. If you have a smaller kitchen space check out the handheld vacuum sealers. If you want a more professional vacuum sealer get a larger countertop unit which is faster and a lot more efficient!
Benefits Of Vacuum Sealing Vegetables
You can save money by preserving fresh produce from your garden or your local farmer’s market. You will also save time and be able to prepare the vacuumed food fast. You can also control the size of your portion when you pack the foods into vacuum bags.
How Long Will Vacuum Sealed Vegetables Last?
Vacuum sealing your veggies will make them last up to 3 to 5 times longer. If you want to extend storage time far longer you can flash freeze them before vacuum sealing. Some veggies can last up to 2 years like that. In that case, a freezer sealing machine will be the most practical for you.
To Wrap It Up
If you want to incorporate more veggies into your diet or you just want to preserve their freshness for longer, vacuum sealing is a great option for you. It is a way in which you can keep them in your fridge or freezer for weeks without them going bad. There are a few ways you can do it, depending on the type of vegetables or fruits, which we mentioned in this article, but you will need a kitchen vacuum sealer for each of those ways. The good thing is that a home vacuum sealer can do the trick so you will know it is a worthwhile investment that you will be satisfied with!
