Freezer Friday: Avoiding Freezer Burn

This week I’ve been gone, so nothing has gone into my freezer. So I’ll pass along a few tips I’ve picked up to help avoid freezer burn.  These ideas will help you better protect your food once it heads to your freezer.  Freezer burn is when ice builds up on your food in the freezer and damages the flavor before you get a chance to enjoy it.

*When freezing berries or herbs like basil, make sure your leaves and berries are completely dry before processing for the freezer.  Water on these items will accelerate freezer burn and damage your produce as it will turn to ice right on your produce.

*Choose appropriate containers.  If you are freezing in plastic bags, make sure that you purchase freezer quality bags.  When in doubt, double-bag.  This will protect your food longer.  Plastic containers from cottage cheese, margarine and yogurt work great in the freezer.  Allow about ½ inch at the top for expansion.

*Remove as much air contact from your food.  Where there is air in a bag or container, ice crystals will grow.  Press as much air as possible from your freezer bags and consider placing a piece of plastic wrap directly on the top of food in your container before placing the lid on top.  This will keep ice-crystals from forming in the space you’ve left for expansion in your container.

*Rotate your food –Place new items to the freezer under the items that have been in the freezer longer.  A bit of organization will save you from finding the “mystery food” in the bottom of the freezer later on.

You put time and planning into the items headed for your freezer.  With a few precautions, your food will last even longer!

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