Spring is right around the corner, and summer gardens will be bursting with produce in no time. You can enjoy your summer flavors year-round by preserving your fresh produce now. Home food preservation continues to be a favorite by many. And by knowing and understanding a few basics, you can enjoy those summer flavors year-round.
Freezing is one of the easiest and least time-consuming methods of preserving food. Best of all, it allows us to keep most foods' natural color, fresh flavor, and nutritional qualities better than other food preservation methods.
If you have tried freezing berries and other tender fruits or vegetables in the past, it just didn't seem to taste the right, or worse yet, it tasted terrible; consider joining us for our upcoming class, Yes! You Can: Preserve It Safely: Freezing Your Summer Harvest.
Like many things in life, to be successful, you need to understand the processes involved. Understanding the science behind freezing makes a difference in whether you have a good or great product. Freezing slows the enzyme activity in fruits and vegetables but does not inactivate them. If these enzymes are not inactivated, they can cause flavor and color changes. If you want to learn more about the process and have great-tasting frozen produce, register today to attend Yes! You Can: Preserve It Safely: Freezing Your Summer Harvest workshop.
Yes! You Can: Preserve It Safely: Freezing Your Summer Harvest will be hosted by the University of Illinois Extension and presented by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Diane Reinhold. Held in person and virtually, pick the time and date that works best for you.
- Tuesday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the U of I Extension-Stephenson County, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL. Building R, Parking Lot B.
- Virtually via Zoom, Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Reserve your seat today by calling U of I Extension at (815) 235-4125 or visiting us online at https://extension.illinois.edu/jsw/food-preservation-courses.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please call (815) 235-4125.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.