Freezing & Storing Frozen Foods

The freezer sectlon ISdeslgned for storage of com- merclclly frozen foods and for freezing foods at home

Packaging ~ The secret of successful freezlng ISIn

the packaging The wrap you use must be air, moisture and vapor proof The way you close and seal the package must not allow air, moisture orvapor in or out Packaqlnq done In any other way could cause food odor-anb taste transfer throughout the re- frigerator and drying of frozen food

Rigid polyethylene (plastic) containers with tight-

fitting lids. straight-sided canning freezing jars. heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastlc-coated paper and

non-permeable plastic wraps (such as Saran) are

recommended Note, Heat-sealed boiling bags are easy to use and can be used by themselves or as carton liners.

Sealing- When sealing foods in bags squeeze out the air (liquids need headspace to allow for expansion ) Twist the top and turn It back Fasten tie securely around the doubled-over tail Put the label InsIde transparent bags, use self-adhesive label on outslde of opaque ones

Air-tight wrapping calls for “drugstore” wrap Cut the sheet about one-third longer than the distance around the fo&. Bring the ends together and fold in [toward the focd) at least twice to seal out air Crease ends close to food, press air from package Fold tips

over twice Finish package and tape closed NOTE With unboned meats, pad sharp edges with eXtr( wrap or use stockinette to protect the wrap fror punctures

DO NOT USE:

l Bread wrappers

l Non-polyethylene plastic containers l Containers without tight lids

0 Waxed paper

l Waxed-coated freezer wrap l Thin, semi-permeable wrap

None of these are totally moisture. air or vapor proof. The use of these wrapplngs could cause food odor and taste transfer and drying of frozen food.

Freezing Fruits-Selectripe, blemish-free fruii Be sure they taste as good as they look Wash 2 i 3 quarts (liters) at a time and drawn Fruit that stanc In water may lose food value and become, sogc Sort, peel, trim pit and slice as needed.

Pack In rigid wide-mouthed containers or othl

recommended material Leave head space to c low liquids to expand during freezing