Food Preparation and Storage Guide
T H E F O O D S A V E R U S E R M A N U A L
13
T H E F O O D S A V E R U S E R M A N U A L
12
Preparation Guidelines for Vegetables:
◗
Vegetables should be blanched
before vacuum packaging. This
stops the enzyme action, which
will eventually cause loss of flavor,
color, and texture.
◗
Blanch vegetables by placing them
in boiling water or in the micro-
wave until they are cooked but
still crisp. Immerse in cold water
to stop the cooking process. Dry
vegetables on a towel, then freeze.
◗
To freeze vegetables in individual
servings, place them on baking
sheets and spread out so that pieces
are not touching. This way they
will not freeze together in a block.
◗
Place baking sheet in the freezer
for 1-2 hours until the pieces are
solidly frozen.
◗
Vacuum package in a FoodSaver
Bag and return to the freezer for
long-term storage. Remember, you
can microwave and boil FoodSaver
Bags right from the freezer.
◗
Strong-smelling vegetables emit
gases during storage. Therefore, they
must be stored in the freezer only.
Where to
Vacuum
Normal Storage
F
R U I T S
Store
Packaged
Life
(without
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Apricots, nectarines,
peaches, plums,
Freezer
1 to 3 years
6 to 12 months
all types of berries
Preparation Guidelines for Fruits:
For best results, before vacuum pack-
aging soft fruits or berries in a
FoodSaver Bag, pre-freeze for 1-2
hours or until solidly frozen. To
freeze fruits in individual servings,
place sliced fruit or berries on a
baking sheet and spread out so the
pieces are not touching. This way
they will not freeze together in a
block. Then vacuum package in
portions for baking, or in your
favorite combinations for easy fruit
salad all year round.
Preparation Guidelines for Baked Goods:
Before vacuum packaging soft or airy
baked goods, pre-freeze for 1-2 hours
or until solidly frozen so that they
will hold their shape. You can bake a
double batch of bread or multiple pie
shells and vacuum package the extras
for later use. Also, you can vacuum
package treats such as peanut brittle
and fudge to send as gifts.
Preparation Guidelines for Nuts:
Vacuum packaging eliminates the
stale or rancid flavor nuts often get
when stored. Plus, it eliminates the
growth of molds that commonly
occur with nuts. Keep nuts fresh by
vacuum packaging them with the
Vac 350. You can open the container
and take what you need for baking
or snacks and then repackage it.
If using a FoodSaver Bag, allow
approximately one inch of extra bag
material for each time the bag will
be opened and repackaged.
Where to
Vacuum
Normal Storage
B
A K E D
G
O O D S
Store
Packaged
Life
(without
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Bread/rolls,
Bagels/pastries
Freezer
1 to 3 years
6 to 12 months
Where to
Vacuum
Normal Storage
N
U T S
Store
Packaged
Life
(without
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Walnuts, pistachios,
almonds, peanuts,
Pantry
2 years
6 months
sunflower seeds
