Freezing Veggies from Store Bought & This & That & Vacuum Sealer

   Good morning Wednesday, We have been watching  President Trump and First Lady arriving in England this morning. I recorded it as it was early this morning.  Kinda like watching a movie with the elegant coaches and awesome horses, then the military bands etc.

  Yesterday I needed a big wal mart trip. Got  my plates renewed first-this city is still under construction at their main 4 way section to go anywhere in the city.  They have been working on this since the spring months. This time only one lane all four directions so very very long wait times. Coming home my car did not like this, it was shaking a bit, and the a/c quit (we are 90's and humid)  and the engine light came on all the way home.  ugh 

   Made it home safely but now another concern. I may have to figure out how to drive Larry's big suburban after all that is a bit scary for me  always challenges in life-right?

  We did get some rain finally-but need more as the next day the soil grabbed all that rain and now very dry still.I just noticed that the fall colors are here already-thinking do to no rain.

     I wanted to grow some spinach etc but the weather is not cooperating, soooo I looked to see what wal mart had in fresh veggies. My smaller wal mart has very little in frozen veggies-instead all the frozen dinner type stuff-ugh.  I brought home fresh spinach and fresh kale that looked really fresh and am in the process of steam blanching it all to freeze. I also picked up a very fresh looking cauliflower so will steam blanch that too for the freezer. 

 The spinach of course really really shrinks down, If I would have had room in the frig I would have gotten two containers of it. I usually mix a little bit of the spinach with the kale or with peas when I serve it. So for around $3.00 for the container it will make several meals

  In Larry's younger years, He spent several years in Japan and loved it there. When we first got married and we had a huge veggie garden he used his wok to make us delicious meals. He also had a large steamer like this one. When we used to go to lots of garage sales-I found this smaller version. It is nice for small batches.   My camera does not take indoor photos well-this was the best one. (I soooo do Not care for electric stoves-especially since I loved my 10 burner Wolf commercial gas stove)   The plan was to upgrade all of the appliances after the woods property sold hopefully next year that will happen. I prefer  a gas stove and oven. and the oven is going out on this stove-jumps to over 400 degrees F if I need to set it over 350 degrees F

  

 After the vegies come out of the steamer I place them in very cold water first--ice water is better but we don't have a ice maker. then drain them in strainers and freeze.

   I am excited that my next meat box is to arrive tomorrow. they offered usa farm raised turkeys so I added one to the box. The organic option was too expensive,  but the other option was still ranch raised with no antibiotics etc added to their food. These are 10-12 pounds. Last year's butterball was terrible  so hoping this one will be better. I have tried the store brand turkeys  here at the store near me and it was not edible- I ended up just getting some soup stock from it.

  Happy Mid-week everyone-I am off to get these veggies packed and in the freezer.

Update Afternoon:  I wanted to give an update-Remember the post I shared about using a vacuum sealer with canning jars and lids?  I did several wide mouth pint jars of fresh blueberries, grapes, and those little sweet tomatoes .I sealed those on August 26-today is September 17 so am guessing around three weeks. This produce is still fresh just like when I bought it. These are in the refrigerator. I have a vintage tool we found years ago that pops open the canning lid without bending it.  The tomato jar has now been opened and resealed three times now.  So am very happy with this process, and I am not going through lids when I open and seal it again.

   I had also done quite a few pint wide mouths of raisins and cranberries-they always dry out on me-they look perfect as well-since those are dried they can be in the cupboard. I also sealed open bags of rice.  So I am very happy with this vacuum sealer.