Savor the Flavors

A sure sign of summer's end is the abundance of fruits and vegetables given to you by gardening friends and family. If you also have a garden, your kitchen may soon overflow with produce! Instead of reaching for your recipe book on 100 ways to cook zucchini, try these ideas to preserve the delicious and nutritious gifts of summer.

Cool It
Freezing is a great method for preserving fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Harvest fruits and vegetables that are in good condition, and freeze them soon after.
• Learn which vegetables must be blanched (exposed to extremely hot water or steam) before freezing.
• Blend your frozen fruit with an Ensure® Shake for a refreshing smoothie — and a delicious reminder of summer!

Can It
Canning is an economical, chemical-free way to preserve produce for months.

• Pick food fresh from the garden for canning that day.
• Make sure each piece of produce is top quality. If even one piece isn't ripe or is spoiled, it can ruin the whole batch.
• Know the safety guidelines of canning! Check out resources from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help you can foods safely.

Dry It
Dehydrating food requires slow, steady heat to remove moisture inside and out.

• Choose from various methods of dehydration, including sun drying, oven drying, and electric dehydrators.
• Select firm, mature fruit such as apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, peaches, and pears.
• Add dried fruit to any trail mix or cereal.

Although summer's almost gone, you can still enjoy a garden of delicious fruits and vegetables. Preserve them, and savor the flavors of summer all year long!