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Storing food in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit prevents microorganisms from growing and slowing down enzyme activity. Flash freezing is used to initially freeze food by rapidly lowering the temperature to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps ensure the highest-quality frozen product. Once flash frozen, food can be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing and flash freezing are best used for a range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, jellies and jams, breads, and whole meals.

Pros: This is the simplest of the common preservation methods (ideal for the food-preservation novice). Flavor retention is greater because it involves minimal heat processing. And this method has high degrees of success and food safety; microorganisms that can cause food spoilage are killed or become inactive when they’re frozen.

Cons: The amount of food you can preserve is limited to the size of your freezer. Stand-alone freezers involve significant financial investment that may take several years to pay off. This method has the most expensive cost for storage (depending upon size, age, style, and your local cost of electricity, running a freezer can cost anywhere between $5.00 and $25.00 per month).

Who hasn’t experienced frozen peas—whether with dinner or on a bruised knee? If they’re one of your favorites, growing your own peas and freezing them may be more economical.