No matter the season, it's rare that something in the fridge or pantry doesn't go bad from time to time . If we have a garden, we know that when harvest time comes, all the fruits and vegetables of the same kind ripen at once. So, it's common to end up eating zucchini every day of the week, or for our tomatoes to spoil before we realize it because we can't keep up. Or for so much fruit to ripen that we're unable to eat it at the same rate .
And if we occasionally go out to eat and didn't plan to, or if we simply miscalculated and bought too much food, storing it is a good solution . You'll probably be able to eat it another day, or it will solve an unexpected situation you weren't expecting (surprise guests, for example).
Therefore, it's important to know ways to preserve food so it doesn't spoil and we have to throw it away. There's nothing more frustrating than having to throw it away. Let's briefly discuss some ways to preserve food:
FREEZE
When we talk about preserving, it's almost the first thing that comes to mind, since we're used to storing food in the freezer at home. You can freeze raw, fresh produce, but also Tupperware containers of prepared food or blanched vegetables.
VACUUM
Wrapping food in plastic, removing all the air inside, is a great way to preserve it. By removing oxygen, we prevent oxidation. This way, we can preserve raw fish, meat, and sausages.
PRESERVES
Preserves are one of the greatest inventions in food preservation. Preserves come in different formats (jars or cans) and contain various preservative ingredients, such as oil, vinegar, pickled, or natural.
FERMENTED
Fermentation involves transforming the sugars in foods into acids through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and mold. It's an ancient technique used not only to preserve but also to produce certain foods and beverages, such as wine, cheese, beer, and yogurt.
In addition to these four basic food preservation techniques, we also suggest the items you'll need to carry them out. Take note!
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1
Zipp! Vacuum Sealer - Mellerware
Having a good vacuum sealer at home will help us preserve food quickly and without complications or waste. This option from Mellerware is ideal: Zipp! is an automatic vacuum sealer for both home and professional use .
It has four functions: automatic sealing and vacuum, sealing, dry mode, and moist mode. Choose the function based on the type of food you want to preserve. For example, if you're preserving meat, fish, or fruit, select moist mode; if you're preserving nuts, snacks, or similar, use dry mode.
Its 125W motor ensures a suction power of 55 kPa, sealing food quickly, safely, and efficiently. This vacuum sealer is a good option to consider, whether you're a professional cook or not.
Its compact design allows you to store it anywhere, as it only takes up 11.5 x 36.5 x 6.2 cm . Using a digital control panel and LED-illuminated touch buttons , you can select and check the sealing or vacuum process status.
Zipp! comes with 20 bags measuring 8 x 12 inches (20 x 30 cm) that you can cut and adjust to the size you need using the sealing feature.
Both on Amazon and on the brand's own website, users give it very good ratings with positive reviews.
2
Glass jar 12 pcs - Com-four
If you decide to make preserves, you'll need good glass jars that allow you to seal them perfectly. That's why we recommend these jars from Com-four.
They come in packs of 12 and have a capacity of 260 ml . This way, you can make small preserves that you can consume in one sitting.
One of the things we like about it is that its wide mouth allows you to pack food comfortably, without spills or complications.
Use them for sauces, pickles, and candied fruits, and you can also put them in the oven or use them for freezing. They are highly resistant to a wide range of temperatures. Amazon's Choice Product
These glass preserving jars are sold in packs of 12 and are perfectly sealed with their screw-on lids.
3
Pickling Utensil Kit - Lékué
If pickles are your thing, you should know that there are specific jars for this, like these from Lékué.
They feature an exclusive valve from the brand itself, which facilitates the release of CO2, and an adjustable pressing disc.
The glass is durable and odor-resistant, so you can use it for different pickles without it being noticeable.
They also include dual-use tongs: they are used for pressing and serving .
Washing them is easy, as they are dishwasher safe.
On the lower part of the exterior, there is a green band where you can write the date or the type of pickle you have prepared.
It has been chosen by Amazon and has the Amazon's Choice badge . Its nearly 450 reviews attest to its high quality and ease of use.
They also receive high user ratings on Lékué's own website.
4
Fermentation Kit - Kilner
The world of fermented foods is vast , and if you're brave enough, you can become a true geek. It's a fascinating world!
So much so that there are jars specifically for fermenting, like these from Kilner. They work simply: pour the vegetables with salt and water into the jar, and use the innovative lid with a silicone purge valve to seal it . Place weights on top to ensure the vegetables stay saturated, tightly sealed, and insulated.
Depending on the type of food you want to prepare, it will take different times , but sooner or later you will be able to enjoy your fermented food with all the flavor and the certainty of having prepared it correctly.
On Amazon it has 320 reviews giving it 4.4 stars, a high score.
5
Set of 7 glass containers - Luminarc
Whether freezing or storing food in the refrigerator , airtight containers are essential. Almost everyone has one at home, but having quality containers that are durable and made of glass is essential. Our last recommendation is this set of 7 airtight glass containers .
The set includes 3 rectangular containers (38 cl + 82 cl + 122 cl), 1 round container of 92 cl, 2 square containers (76 cl + 122 cl) and a 17 cm salad bowl with lid .
They have a valve in the lid that prevents thermal shock: by opening it, you can use the container directly in the microwave without having to remove the lid if it comes from the freezer (where it should be closed).
This way, you will prevent food from drying out or splashing when you heat it in the microwave (at a maximum temperature of 110º ).
They are very easy to clean and do not retain odor or flavor in food since glass is a non-porous, BPA-free material.
Each one has 4 locking clasps, and since they are stackable, they will take up very little space.
They're a hit on Amazon, with nearly 1,000 user reviews highlighting the high quality of their purchase.
