It’s warming up here in New Zealand. Spring’s been doing it’s thing and out in my neck of the woods – North West Auckland – the berry farms are in full swing as they prepare for the picking season to begin. One of my favourite summer traditions is a throwback from when I was little; I LOVE taking the boys berry picking at one of our local farms. To me fruit picking is synonymous with summer, but as a Mum, it’s also totally economical. Last season we picked 5kg of strawberries in 30 minutes one day and paid just $20! For those of us that whip up smoothies each morning, just one kilogram of frozen berries will cost you around $10, sometimes more. Picking and preserving what’s in season makes so much sense.
Making the Most of Summer Fruit
This year I plan on stocking the freezer with berries and stonefruit that we have picked ourselves from farms in our local area. We’ll be cutting down our food miles, cutting down our food costs and also benefitting from actually knowing the origin of at least some of what we consume as a family – all great lessons for the kids.
I’m going to either, free-flow freeze and then vacuum seal, or vacuum seal then freeze (depending upon the fruit) around 90% of the summer fruit we pick this year using the Sunbeam FoodSaver.
That’s my long-term plan lol – YES, this gadget is that amazing that I’m actually planning out how I’m going to use it in the kitchen for the whole growing season ahead! There’s a myriad of other, non-food related ways you can use the FoodSaver too but that’s a whole post in itself.
On a day-to-day basis you’ll find the FoodSaver at home on our bench helping us keep our pantry and standard fruit and vege fresher for longer. Produce previously lasting only days can last weeks and the freezer life of meat can be extended to 1-3 years when sealed with the FoodSaver!
Right now there is an awesome Gift with Purchase running, receive Bonus FoodSaver accessories with any purchase of a FoodSaver machine! Check out the full range here and find the Sunbeam FoodSaver in all leading appliance stores, including Farmers, JB HiFi, Smiths City, Heathcotes, 100% Your Electric Store, and Harvey Normans.
How to Use the Sunbeam FoodSaver
In the video below I’m going to show you two super easy ways to use the Sunbeam FoodSaver.
- Extend the fridge life of fresh berries by using a FoodSaver canister. This is a great every-day solution as we want access to fresh berries daily for breakfast and lunchboxes etc but want to avoid those smooshed, mouldy berries that often go to waste at the bottom of punnets.
- Freeze cheap, summer berries and other fruit for freezer storage and use throughout the year – in season prices during the off-season LOVE it!
I love the canisters for use in the pantry for crackers and for storing leftovers, fruit, salad mixes and cheese in the fridge. You’ll notice in the video we popped a paper towel in the vacuum bag before sealing it. If the berries had been slightly melted, the vacuum action would have sucked moisture out of the berries and up the sides of the bag, preventing a good seal. The paper towel absorbs the water and creates an airtight package ready for the freezer.
WIN A SUNBEAM FOODSAVER!
I am SO excited about being able to giveaway one of these amazing machines! I know you will love the Sunbeam FoodSaver as much as we do so make sure your entry is valid by telling me in the comments below how you would use your new FoodSaver VS5000 Seal + Store RRP $369.99.
Comp closes 18/12/16 NZ residents only.
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