Vegetables and Fruits Preservation
Preservation kills and inhibits the growth of microorganisms. When preserving fruits and vegetables, you are taking action to prevent them from rotting naturally. Here are common ways to keep vegetables and fruit.
Freezing is often the best way to preserve fresh produce. Many people choose to freeze their vegetables and fruits simply because they have no room at home to store them properly. If you want to freeze your food, try to do it between 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. When you place the food in containers, cover it well with water, then wrap it tightly in either freezer paper or aluminum foil before putting it in the freezer. This helps make sure the food stays frozen longer. You should only thaw frozen foods out right before eating them. Thawed food will spoil faster than frozen food. So it’s always safer to eat thawed foods. Another way to keep some veggies around is to pickle them; this process can add flavor to meats and fish. There are many pickles, including vinegar, mustard, and salt. A basic pickling mix includes white wine vinegar, sugar, spices, and salt.
Dehydration is done by placing food inside a dehydrator. A dehydrator uses heat to remove water from food without cooking the food. To dehydrate food, cut it into small pieces, lay it out on a baking sheet, and place the sheet inside the dehydrator. Set the temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure not to leave the door open while the food is drying. The time varies depending on what kind of food you’re dehydrating. Check the food once a day and turn it over if any spots start to get dark or moldy. Canning preserves food for long-term storage. To can food, first, prepare it according to its recipe. Then put it in clean jars and boil it for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely before sealing the jar. Store the jars in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.