I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with the abundance of produce I pick up from our CSA each week. Please, remind me to sign up for a HALF share next year!
I love the way the scent of the fresh veggies permeates my car on the short drive home, the excitement of unpacking it and identifying all the new-to-me produce. I enjoy looking for recipes to incorporate into our week (last night I made pizza topped with wilted Swiss chard, blobs of ricotta, and pine nuts. I wilted that intimidating bunch of Swiss chard down into a quarter its original size. Take that!)
What don’t I love? The ‘use it or lose it’ aspect. There’s a lot of pressure to wash, process, cook, eat, or share before that crate of produce turns into expensive fodder for the compost bin!
To help me along, I pulled out a kitchen tool that I bought two years ago when I was in a similar CSA-overload situation … the Handi-Vac from Reynolds/Alcoa. This is a cool little system that allows me to pull excess air out of the bags before tossing them in the freezer. The kids and I set up an assembly line of washing, trimming, blanching, icing, draining, and packing. And then they get to fight over whose turn it is to pull the air out of the bag!
I lurve the Handi-Vac! It’s been very satisfying to go to the freezer in the fall, pull out a bag of veggies, defrost, heat, and serve … knowing that these are locally grown beans (or peas, or summer squash, etc.), fresh frozen for my family.
Now, the unthinkable has happened. I added ‘Handi-Vac bags’ to my shopping list for Target last week … and they weren’t on the shelf! Not at Stop & Shop either … uh oh. I checked the Reynolds website to find that they are no longer selling the Handi-Vac system – ack! Instead, they’ve partnered with Debbie Meyer, and I can buy refill bags through Home Shopping Network.
I’m SO disappointed. This is the perfect solution for people who don’t like a lot of extra rarely-used tools and machines in the kitchen. It was inexpensive (about $15 for the initial set up, I think), small (about the size of a vegetable scrub brush), and easy to use (And fun! Don’t forget the fun!).
Sigh. What do I do? I’ve never purchased anything through Home Shopping Network … what if I buy a lifetime supply of bags and then the vacuum breaks? Am I doomed to eat my crates of produce within a few days of picking them up (“No, you can’t have cereal for breakfast, I’m making fried kohlrabi!”)?!
To HSN or not to HSN, that is the question!
See what else is happening in the kitchens of the blogosphere this weekend. Check out Beth Fish Reads’ Weekend Cooking to find links to other food-related posts. There may be book reviews, recipes, kitchen gadget tips and tricks …
It’s Elaine and her contraceptive sponges all over again.
Mary – exactly! I’m looking at a basket of snap peas wondering “are they vac-worthy?”
Well, that really stinks! My cousin was just recently telling me about her Handi-Vac system and how much she LOVES it. I was seriously considering buying one. I am familiar with Debbie Meyers product. I have purchased items from HSN before and was pleased with the product and service. Good luck with your quest and thanks for the info!
Oh no! That sucks.
My sil buys from Home Shopping Network quite often and likes it. So I guess it’s okay.
You might try ebay too. When the wide mouth jar seals were discontinued, canners went crazy buying them off of ebay.
This totally reminds me of the “Sponge Worthy” episode from Seinfeld. I can just see you with a closet full of Handi-Vac boxes.
I think Bed, Bath & Beyond sells some kind of vacuum sealing product, that might do the trick for you.
Vac worthy! LOL. I have a food saver I bought years ago (check your freecycle, the older models come up every once in a while). I love it and it was worth the initial investment. Can you still buy the vac part? If so, buy one and put it aside and then go ahead and buy a lifetime supply of bags!
My husband has wanted a food saver for years now! I had never heard of the handi-vac, but it sounds like the perfect solution. I wonder why it was discontinued?
I have purchase anything from HSN – and only a few items from QVC – but I did find that the service was excellent and the product was exactly what I thought I was ordering (if that helps any)
It really makes you want to swear off any kind of system!!! I think Kathy is right, I’ve seen some other type of vac system in BB&B. Still, I’d hate to invest in that one just on principle. Tupperware?
“It’s Elaine and her contraceptive sponges all over again.” oh, that is too funny… Vac worthy indeed! lol
Crap!!! I have a Handi-Vac too and now I’ll have to start searching for bag and hopefully can find some that will last me awhile.
Oh, I hate it when something like this happens! Is there any way you could check e-bay or somewhere similar for the bags? There has to be somewhere besides HSN for you to get them (at least I hope so). Also, that carrot picture is totally awesome!!
This happened with one of my favorite mops prior to the swiffer. Ugh I hate when that happens.