818-Lancnter Farming, Saturday, August 14, 1993 ~ . . . _, , , Don’t Avoid Blanching Although microwave blanching onions ||id green peppers must be may seem to save time, effort and blanched before freezing to pre energy, procedures currently serve flavor, texture ami available do not always result in a color, traditionally, blanching is desirable quality after freezing, done in boiling water or steam for Because of uneven heating, parts specified times. Three research of some vegetables may be adequ- studies show microwave blanch ately blanched while others are ing results to be inferior to blanch underblanched. Rapid heating also > n £ ty water or steam, may produce an overcooked In testing, asparagus, green product. beans, peas and com all retained All fresh vegetables except niore vitamin C and better color when blanched conventionally. HONESDALE (Wayne Co.) To blanch or not to blanch, that is the question. Pennsylvanians who decide against blanching veget ables before freezing them will likely regret it, says Wayne Coun ty Extension Director, Debra Bryant Blanching is scalding of veget ables in hot water or steam before packaging them for freezing. The vegetables must be heated through the center as quickly as possible to kill surface bacteria and inactivate plant enzymes. This prevents toughness, color change, loss of flavor, softening and loss of nutri uve value. Carve Vegetables (Continued from Page B 14) following categories: artistic arrangements, annual flowers, perennial flowers, bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, herbs, house plants, and dried everlastings. The Harvest Show is scheduled for Friday, August 20, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, workshops begin at 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The 1993 Berks County Harvest Show will be held at the Berks County Agricultural Cen ter, County Road, Leesport. General admission is $2, but admission is free if you enter artistic arrangements or speci mens. For more details, call Penn State Cooperative Extension at (717) 378-1327 or (717) 374-3455. This mouse Is a favorite with kids. two apples. With the*® tools, Al Consol! carves fruits and vegetables that he uses for garnishes and centerpieces. But underblanching is worse than not blanching at all. A little extra heat can encourage prob lems. Blanching time varies with the type of vegetable. Unblanched vegetables are safe to eat, the specialists stress, but they won’t taste as good. The only vegetables that should not be blanched first are chopped onions or peppers. There are also some vegetables which freeze better after they have been completely cooked. These include beets, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, pumpkin and wint er squash. Should microwaves be used to blanch vegetables? No. WALTEMYER’S SALES & SERVICE, me. RD #3, Box 43-B Red Don, PA 17358 SHUEY’S SALES ft SERVICE Main SI. Ono, PA 17077 NORMAN D. CLARK ft son. me. Box 27, Main St. Honey Grove, PA 17035 MEYER’S IMPLEMENTS. INC. 400 N. Antrim Way Greoncastle, PA 17225 MESSICK FARM EQUIP., INC. Rt. 283, Rhaama Exit Elizabethtown, PA 17022 INCH EQUIPMENT Box 247 ft. Main St. McAllstarvllla, PA 17049 HISTAND’S FARM & HOME RD #l, Box 231 Rome, PA 18837 ' GEORGE V. SEIPLE 1521 Vm luran R6ad Easton, PA 18042 Whlteford, MD 21160 C.H. RINEHIMER Rout* 11 Berwick, PA 18603 BINKLEY AND HURST BROS.. INC. 133 Rothavilla Station Rd. Ulltz, PA 17543 BEN VAN DUSEN MACHINERY RD *2, Box 400 Sayra, PA 18840 AGRI-COMMODITIES 1585 Granlta Station Gattyaburg, PA 17325 = MIIK.IT DOES A BODY GOOD. MIDDLE ATLANTIC MILK MARKETING ASSOCIATION, INC. Meyer 500 & 600 TSS Forage Boxes Total Speed System Meyer Mfg. Corp. has developed a new style of forage box that can unload at a much faster rate of speed. This is accomplished thru a low range-high range var iable speed system. Apron speeds range from 0-7.5’ per minute in low range and 0-17'per minute in high range. The Meyer TSS also allows the operator to inch the augers free of material before engaging the apron chain. This box is avail able in the All Steel TSS or the TSS AL Aluminized model. Meyers Steel Bale Throw Boxes Choose between our Deluxe or Price Fighter Bale Throw Boxes Mayen brought you the first and moat dependable self unkMiding forage boxes; now Mayen often you the most convenient and strongest steel bade throw boxes. Our goal has always been to provide farmers with qual ity preducts they can afford to buy. DCUUXE MOOCL •" IM MO) THESf FKATURES STANDARD ON BOTH MODUS \ ’TTUI ■7t-M wKK§^^ lIPTM. Lfl \i Spring loaded lift assists ' In opening and closing gates.