•When storing vegetables, the crispers will Packaging Foods for Freezing
perform better if they are at least two-thirds .When freezing fruits and vegetables select
filll. If they,are less than _vo thirds full, akvays fresh,top-quality products.
store vegetables in plastic bags or airtight
containers to reduce moisture loss. • Use a freezerwrap that isair-,moisture- and
vapor-proof. Some good choices are heaD,-
•Alwavs wrap odoruus foods such as onions and duty,aluminum foil, freezer plastic wrap,
cabbage so the odor does not transfer to other polyethylene-coated freezer paper, freezer
foods, bags or airtight containers. Force as much air
• Wbile vegetables need a certain amount of out of the packages as possible and be sure
moisture to remain fresh, too much moisture they are tightly sealed Trapped air can cause
can shorten storage times (especially lettuce), the food to dry out change color and develop
Be sure the vegetables are well drained before an off-flavor (freezer bum).
storing. It may also be helpfn] to place a layer ° Fresh meats and poultry can be left in the
of paper towels inthe bottom of the bag to store wrapping when freezing for less than two
absorb any,excess moisture, weeks. For longer storage, overwrap with a
suitable freezer wrap. Do not refreeze meat
Dairy Food that has completely thawed.
• Store butter and margarine in the DaiLT
Compartments found in the refrigerator door. Loading the Freezer
• Most dairy foods such as milk, cream, sour ° Avoid adding too much warm food to the
cream and cottage cheese have freshness dates freezer at one time. This overloads the freezer,
on their cartons for appropriate length of slowsthe rate of freezing and can raise the
storage. Store these foods in the original careon temperature of already frozen foods.
and refrigerate imlnediately after purchasing • Place the packages in the coldest part of the
and each use. Close carton lids tightly to keep freezer first (against the walls or bottom of the
out air and odors, compartment) to insure the food freezes as
quickly as possible. Leave a little space
• Occasionally mold willdevelop on the sudhce between the packages so cold air can circulate.
of'hard cheeses (Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan).
The moldy areas can be trimmed away and the • Avoid storing hard-to-freeze foods such as ice
remaining cheese will still be fiavor[ui and safe cream and orange juice onthe freezer door
shelves. These foods are best stored in the
to eat. freezer interior where the temperature varies
less with door openings.
Frozen Food Storage Foods That Don't Freeze Well
The freezer compartment of a refrigerator
should be kept at ()°F or lower. To check the • Some foods cannot be frozen suecessfiflly
freezer, place an appliance thermometer because the freezing causes them to
deteriorate. These include:
be_'een the frozen packagesand check after 24potatoes (unless mashed)
hours. A freezer operates more efficiently when cream fillings
it is at least two-thirds [hll. If not this full, it will cooked egg whites
be helpfulto fi[l milk cartonshalf full of water sour cream
and place them in the freezer, salad greens
Refer to{lie FoodStorage Charton pages luncheon meat
10-11 forapproximate storage times. For the soft cheeses (cream, cottage, processed)
mayonuaise
best results when freezing foods, follow these milk and cream
guidelines: gelatin salads
bananas
citrusfruits.
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