Freezing Broccoli w/Vacuum Sealer (using a favorite trick)

[@lindagoulet3990]

I have the same machine, u need to make sure your bag is fitted inside the vacuum tray ..I reuse my bags quite a few times, I also flip the used bags to make sure the curve side fits inside the vacuum tray section

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Yes! That’s what I finally tried, and it really helped! It’s reassuring to know that you reuse your bags, too, and learned the best methods to get them to seal again. Thanks for your kind comment.

[@my4mainecoons726]

I re-use every bag several times until there's not enough left to seal. I open a sealed bag a smidge below the seal line so I get the largest leftover bag possible. My FoodSaver has a cutter on it. I use that or a paper cutter to get a smooth edge if the opening is too curly. I store my bags for re-use under a heavy box to get them as flat as possible.

[@grinning_owl]

I've never seen anyone demonstrate how to blanche vegetables, so thank you for the show & tell. As for suggestions on how you can re-use your empty bag roller, remove gift wrapping ribbon from their original rolls when the rolls are almost empty, and then wrap the ribbon around the bag roller and throw the original spools into the recycle bin. To keep the ribbon from unwinding, secure the ends with a small piece of tape, or tie a narrow ribbon around it. By storing the partial spools of ribbon this way, it makes it easier to see at a glance how much of each kind you have left. It also saves space in your storage area. I buy the large spools of Christmas ribbon at Costco and they take up a lot of space even when the spool is almost empty. You can also slice the roller and slip it over a thin clothes hanger to protect your pants from getting creases. Or you can use the covered hanger to store necklaces and bracelets in your closet where they won't get tangled up.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for the great tips!

[@patriciavincent1569]

I love my vacuum seal machine, thank you foe showing how to seal fresh vegetables. You did a great job at explaining it all. Thank You!

[@SarPoe]

I just read your description and that's what I was thinking you should try... curling the tops downward. So, yay! I'm glad that worked! You're a whiz at dishwashing!! We recently made kaleidoscopes by using thick mirror-type paper, cut lengthwise in strips, forming a long triangle (mirrors facing the middle) and placing that inside a cardboard tube. There were a couple ways to make the design once we got to that point. I'm sure you could find directions online if you wanted to use your tube to make a kaleidoscope!

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

I wondered how many folks read the descriptions. I’m glad you figured it out, too! I’m also glad you like my dishwashing skills! 😁 I could make a lot of kaleidoscopes with the tubes I’ve saved! 😂

[@earthygirl04]

Thanks for showing me how to blanch veggies!❤

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

You’re very welcome.

[@mysteik]

Not on A vacuum sealer bag,you are just 'locking ' the moisture in...water /air your enemy!

[@HambletonRanger]

Using a larger bag you can seal more broccoli and decant amount needed for each use and reseal bag saving more material.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@lindas.8036]

One very good way to reduce the mess when you are cutting the flowering part into pieces is to cut through the stem ONLY. Then, tear it through the flower. The broccoli flowererettes will separate neatly and the resulting mess will be far less. And it only takes a second or two.

[@lindas.8036]

ALSO, I wish you had said something about WHY you are blanching. Some vegs need to be blanched to denature the enzymes that can make it look faded and ooky. Other vegs do not need to beblanched unless you want them partially cooked. I have never had any problems with bags puncturing unless there were really really sharp points.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Very good tip! Thanks!

[@troyshankles4747]

I have a food saver and my instructions say put the shinny or glossy side down that's why they put it on the roll in that direction. Happy freezing I do it all the time and I also live at around 5000 feet

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks so much for your great comment.

[@danillibaylis6156]

I did learn something today, thank you. Lovely lady, I'm going to enjoy using my Machine..😊🎉

[@cbass2755]

Very nice video….Thank you

[@iritaadcock2654]

Try turning your bags over. The smooth side of the bag goes up and the bumpy side goes down.

[@michaelwallen6607]

It doesn’t matter which side of bag you put in tray. The very end of the roll will always give you trouble. I bought the Seal a meal when they first came out in 1985. It still works great. But I use the newest model now!

[@sheilarogers3448]

Try resealing the bottom of the bag. Bought a box of bags and they would not seal. So I had to seal above their seal and it worked. Was more careful with brands of bags after that. Used my empty rolls to make cord protectors. Would cut the roll the desired length roll up excess cord and thread it through writing on the roll what the cord goes to. Made my life a whole lot easier

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for your great suggestions!

[@p123york9]

I follow my canning book instructions to the letter when I'm pressure canning, but freezing, not so much, I like to use broccoli in casseroles and I also like to roast it, and if I put it in boiling water, brought the water back to a boil and then boiled it five minutes and tried to do either of those things, it would be a soggy, overcooked mess. I blanch it only enough to get that bright green color, probably about 1 to 2 minutes at most, not even enough time to bring the water back up to a boil, which seems to be enough to kill the enzymes on the surface that can make frozen veggies lose color and flavor. Then I ice it briefly and give it a thorough spin in my salad spinner to get most of the water out. From there I do exactly what you do. So far, that very limited blanching time seems to work very well, and I can't think of any way that would be unsafe.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for your comment. The reason I blanch it for 5 minutes is because of our high altitude-almost 6,000 feet. It sounds like you found the best time for where you are. I hope you have success in your future preserving projects.

[@TheCountryLivingHomestead]

Wonderful information. I am hoping for a good broccoli harvest this year too. What variety do you like to grow?

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

The seed packet I have is De Cicco from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. They’re organic and heirloom. My 2020 crop did great, but last year’s crop was eaten by those little green caterpillar pests. This year, I’ll probably try an organic pest killer; I think it’s called BT (Thuricide ?). I hope you have a great broccoli harvest this year! Me, too!

[@findjoyinthejourney72]

Thank you for sharing. I learned a lot 😊

[@debbiecowles712]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thank you for watching.

[@4mandysake]

❤ thanks!

[@nicolesobol936]

Flip your bag?! I couldn’t tell from the video, but it is easier if you follow the natural curve of the bag from being on the roll! If that makes sense?!?! It just lays perfectly flat, seals easier.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Yes, that’s what I finally tried and it worked great! Thanks for your comment.

[@carolynbarlow4468]

Boil for how long

[@cedricerleward]

Use a salad spinner to get the water off before you put them on the tray

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@louiselill1528]

Thank you very useful

[@sheilarogers3448]

Look up companion planting they also have books on the subject. You plant some plants that attracts bugs that will eat your broccoli bugs. Plant certain plant around the garden to keep rabbit or ant out of your garden. Try it! A lot of the remedies work great

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll look it up.

[@donnajohnson1176]

Have you tried collards this way?

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Sorry, I have not. If you do, I hope you have success. Thank you for your comment.

[@carolynbarlow4468]

Is she going gto clean broccoli for bugs

[@mollylamberth5148]

You need to empty the water tray under the seal vacuum strip when you have moisture. Each bag empty it or your going to get water in motor

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for your comment. Since the broccoli is already frozen, there is no water to escape the bag. My problem was that the curved part of the bags was facing up instead of down into the channel. It took me a while to figure that out. But, when I did, I added it to the description if you’d like to go back and read it. Happy gardening!

[@nim3186]

Use roll for holding canning rings!

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@margaritacamacho1716]

Me gusto mucho, pero yo soy coda, usaria menos bolsa! 😬😬

[@MsWings4]

How do I find out what Altitude I am in? lol.

[@garydahmer5088]

Double seal first 🌞

[@rustic35]

I always thought blanching was between 1-2 minutes. 5 minutes is cooked.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

It depends on the altitude where you live. We are just under 6,000 feet, so we have to cook everything for a longer period of time. Most canning and freezing cookbooks have charts for how long to blanch vegetables depending on your altitude. Thanks for your comment.

[@johnreginahenderson7032]

Good information! Thank you😊Regina

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thank you for your comment and for subscribing. 🙂

[@carolynbarlow4468]

Why not put all broccoli in one bag and take out what you need when time to cook. That's why we use freezer bags. Also new vacuum sealer could be needed

[@jonduncombe2658]

You can drink that water too

[@carolynbarlow4468]

Seems like she would use kitchen towel to get water out of veg

[@Adeline9418]

Heck just buy frozen broccoli at the store,bring it home,put it in a vacuum sealer and seal it up!!! Frozen veggies are cheaper anyway. I'm not going to go through all the stupid steps. There's an easier way.

[@jonduncombe2658]

Really should not use knife that way ,never cut towards your self, always away!

[@lilidoucet]

5 min. is enough to cook your brocolli.

[@carolynbarlow4468]

Spend too much time talking