Enzymes In Vegetables

Freezing is an easy and convenient way to preserve fruits and vegetables. Freezing slows the growth of microorganisms that cause food to spoil and hinders the chemical changes that affect food quality. A frozen food’s quality is determined by the freshness of the original product, the type of pack, and the techniques used to prepare it for freezing.

If they are not inactivated, enzymes found naturally in fruits and vegetables can cause color and flavor changes as well as loss of nutrients. Follow these guidelines and tested directions for freezing fruits and vegetables and enjoy high-quality, nutritious frozen food.

Enzymes in Vegetables

Inactivate the enzymes in vegetables by boiling or steaming them briefly, then rapidly cooling them in ice

Cut to desired length after chilling. 3 minutes

Beets Top and clean. Boil until tender. Chill. Peel, slice, dice or pack whole.

Cook in skins until done

Carrots Clean them, slice or dice. Small carrots may be left whole. Blanch, chill and pack.

3-4 min — slices

5 mins — whole

Corn, Yellow Whole kernel corn: Blanch cleaned ears, chill thoroughly in cold water, cut from cob and pack. 4 minutes

Okra

Wash only tender pods without breaking, blanch and chill. Pack in alternate directions. For frying, freeze on cookie sheet and then package.

3-5 minutes depending on size

Peas, English Wash in pod, shell, blanch tender juicy peas.

Chill. 2 minutes

Peas, Field Wash in pod, shell, blanch, chill and pack. 2 minutes

Pepper, Sweet Wash, halve, blanch, chill, cut as desirred and pack. 2 minutes

Squash: Summer,

Yellow Zucchini,

Patty Pan

Use while skin is tender. Wash, slice in ½ inch pieces. Blanch and chill. Pack. Summer squash may also be precooked, cooled and packaged.

3 minutes pound of tender green beans and pat dry with paper towels. Snip off ends but leave the beans whole. Place green beans on a

foil-lined

Increase savings by using coupons and taking advantage of store sales.

Layaway Sales

An item that was placed in a layaway or similar deferred plan before the sales tax holiday and is then delivered to the purchaser upon final payment during the holiday weekend is eligible for the tax exemption. For example, if you place an item on layaway in June and complete the layaway payments during the sales tax weekend, the item is eligible for the exemption. An eligible item placed on layaway during the tax holiday is also exempt from tax, even if delivery occurs later.

Rain Checks

“Rain check” means the seller allowed a customer to purchase an item at a sales price at a later time because it was out of stock during the sale. Rain check items are eligible for the exemption only if delivered during the tax holiday.

Returns and Exchanges

If an eligible item that was purchased during the sales tax holiday period is returned after the holiday period and is replaced by the same item (different size, different color), no additional tax is due. If a retailer gives the purchaser a credit for an item purchased during the holiday period, the combined state and county rates of tax will apply to purchases after the tax