Here's the Catch: Tips on Preserving Your Seafood
- Wild Game & Fish
- 06/30/17
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There's nothing quite like the taste of freshly caught seafood to pull a meal together. To preserve that straight-from-the-water flavor so your family can enjoy it anytime, store your catches using the FoodSaver® GameSaver® System. Serve the freshest, most delicious seafood all year long by following these tips:
For Fish
To prepare your fish for storage, first remove the internal organs, head, tail and fins. Rinse the remaining meat under cold water and pat dry. Small fish, like bluegills, perch and crappie, can be stored whole, while larger fish should be cut into chunks prior to freezing.
Before you seal your fish using the FoodSaver® GameSaver® System, place the protein in the freezer for about two hours. By pre-freezing the fish, you can help it retain the moisture, flavor and firmness you crave from freshly caught seafood.
Once you've pre-frozen the protein, put it in the FoodSaver® GameSaver® DAM® Gallon Vacuum-Seal Bags, seal and freeze. The FoodSaver® GameSaver® System can extend the freshness of fish up to two years, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your catches. When you decide to make some of your frozen fish, place the bag in the refrigerator 24 hours before you plan to cook. This allows the fish to thaw without losing its freshness.
For Shellfish
The FoodSaver® GameSaver® System also allows you to preserve delicious varieties of shellfish. Here are some of the most popular types and how to store them:
- Lobster tails: To keep a lobster tail fresh, first remove the spine from the shell. Place the a FoodSaver® GameSaver® DAM® Gallon Vacuum-Seal Bag , seal, freeze and enjoy up to several months later.
- Shrimp: Start by rinsing the shrimp and patting it dry. Keeping the shells on, place the cleaned shrimp in a flat layer in a FoodSaver® GameSaver® DAM® Gallon Vacuum-Seal Bag. Seal and freeze.
- Clams and oysters: Preserve raw clams and oysters by first shucking the meat and rinsing it thoroughly. Place the meat in FoodSaver® GameSaver® DAM® Gallon Vacuum-Seal Bag with an inch of either fresh or salt water. Once the bags are sealed using the FoodSaver® GameSaver® System, place them in the coldest section of your freezer and enjoy them up to three months later.