Just wanted to show how you can vacuum seal dry foods using various jars. Here is what the finished jars look like. There's green beans, crowder peas, spinach, peppers and onions stir-fry, collard greens, mixed vegetables, green onions, fordhook limas, English peas, etc.:
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I used jars that previously held spaghetti sauce, pesto sauce, salsa, jelly, and pickles. You can use any jar that has a metal lid with a rubber seal underneath. I drive through the neighborhood on recycling day and collect jars. You may also use regular canning jars, but I prefer to save those for my canning.
You will need the following FoodSaver canister and a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer with the hose attachment, silica jel packets, and O2 absorbers:
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This is the 6 Quart FoodSaver Bulk Storage Canister, available here for $24.99 plus shipping. :
Food Saver Canister
Per their website:
The FoodSaver® 6 Quart Bulk Storage Canister is a round Vacuum Storage Canister that works with FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealing Systems to keep moist or dry food fresh. Buy in bulk and save, then seal in the freshness. FoodSaver® Bulk Storage Canisters create airtight storage for pantry or refrigerator use. Great for storing cereal, chips, crackers, candy, pet food, soups, stews and much more.
Features:
-Buy in bulk and save
-Great for refrigerator or pantry storage
-Keeps bulk cereals, crackers and snacks fresh longer
-Ideal for large quantities of dry pet food
Buy 2, 4 and 6 Quart Sizes!
If you don't have the hose attachment for your FoodSaver, you can purchase it at this website as well.
I bought frozen vegetables on sale and placed them in my dehydrator. You can also seal any dried beans, rice, flour, dried herbs, or anything else you can think of.
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I also cut the green tops off my onions. Here they are already dehydrated.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/sungrasses/Jar%20Vacuum%20Sealer/100_0369.jpg
Once the veges are completely dry, place 3 silica jel packets and one O2 absorber in the jar with the dried vegetables.
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Screw on the lid and place the filled jar inside the vacuum canister. Attach the FoodSaver hose to the vacuum sealer and to the canister. Turn the knob on the top of the canister to "Vacuum".
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Sometimes 2 jars will fit in there together.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/sungrasses/Jar%20Vacuum%20Sealer/100_0383.jpg
Start your vacuum sealer in the usual manner. My model requires me to just push down on it. Repeat the vacuum process several times for each jar to ensure a good seal. Turn the knob on the top of the canister to "Open" to release the vacuum. Take the jar out and touch the lid to see if it's sucked down. This means that it's sealed. If the center of the lid pops up when you touch it, it's not sealed. Place the jar back in the canister and re-vacuum. The lid will bulge up while inside the canister after you run the sealer a few times. Then when you "open" the canister knob, the jar lid sucks down to form the seal.
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I guess I could vacuum seal dried veges and herbs in mylar or FoodSaver bags, but I love the way the filled jars look on my shelves. I also like the convenience of using these jars when I want to add some "green" to soups, or just a few veges to a rice dish.
I estimate each of the spaghetti sauce jars holds up to 2 regular sized bags of frozen vegetables when dried. I buy frozen veges on sale for $1.00/bag. So, I'm paying $2.00 per quart for these dried veges. Emergency Essentials has Provident Pantry Freeze-Dried Spinach for $13.95 per #10 can. Here is the link:
Emergency Essentials Website
I prefer using the quart size or smaller jar, instead of the gallon can of dried vegetables. It's more convenient for me.
If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!