How to Package & Store Food for Long-Term Storage
Whether you have your own garden or or simply have purchased more food than you can consume before it goes bad, long term storage is a good idea. Not only does it keep waste down during times of plenty, but it can also shore you up for leaner future times. Fruit, vegetable, meat or grain, there are ways to store each item that preserve the food itself and the nutritional content they contain. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Airtight, freezer safe plastic storage containers
- Permanent marker
- Pot
- Water
- Large bowl
- Ice
Instructions
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Storing Grains, Legumes and Dried Foods
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1
Make sure that your grain, legume or dried food is not at all moist. If it is somewhat moist, set the item out in a cool, low humidity space in your home, and allow it to sit for a few days.
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2
Place the dried out item in an airtight storage container. Try to use a container about the same size as the item that you are storing in it, so that there is as little air as possible in the container.
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3
Label the container with the item and the date that it was stored with a permanent marker.
Freezing Produce
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4
Wash your produce thoroughly.
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5
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
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6
Fill a large bowl with water and ice, as the water heats up in the pot.
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7
Add the produce to the pot of water, once the water is boiling.
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8
Allow the produce to boil for a set amount of minutes. This time will vary for each individual type of produce. For example, sliced carrots should boil for 3 minutes and spinach should boil for 2 1/2 minutes. A rule of thumb is that blanched produce should be removed when the color turns very bright, before the color begins to dull.
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9
Plunge the produce into the bowl of ice water, after the set amount of time has elapsed.
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10
Drain the cooled produce thoroughly.
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11
Pack the drained produce in airtight, freezer-safe containers.
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12
Label each container with a permanent marker, noting the item stored and the date that it was frozen.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If your grain, legume or dried food is still too moist after a few days, place it in your container with a packet of desiccant. Check on the desiccant after a few days. If it is moist, change it out for a new one. Continue to check it every few days until the desiccant no longer becomes moist. After that, leave the item alone.
If you have a vacuum packing machine, use it instead of storage containers.
When produce goes on a steep sale, consider purchasing a large amount and then store it for times when the produce is not on sale.
