Larger and dense veggies do need blanching. I planch peas and beans, as well as broccoli. Stuff that doesn't need a blanch are things like chopped onions, sweet peppers, and a few higher water content items. Even most fruits don't need blanching as they also are high water content. If you were to freeze broccoli with no blanching, for instance, it would break every green bud off the tops of the crowns and you end up with mostly green sawdust. Most canning books also offer freezing guidelines which are much easier to deal with compared to home canning. The blanch always requires a dip into ice water to halt any cooking. I blanch corn on the cob, then cut off the kernals and freeze. I like using the heavier bags from Food Saver. I just harvested a big bunch of onions and some shallots that were going to flower. Peeled and put through a chopper, then bagged in a FS bag and freezed them.

I only use the food saver brand bags and i have never tried to reheat anything in them. Also, I'm not the only one in the family who notices the off taste. Perhaps the bags are too old? I would say around 8 years old? Maybe I should just buy some new bags to go with it and see where that gets me. Thanks for posting.

Kris, I confess to having the jar sealers for several years and never used them. Now I'm going crazy with the canning jars because I have a collection of cracked FoodSaver canisters. soften the lids in hot water - I microwave a little water to boiling then drop in the lid dry lid clean jar rim put lid on jar place FoodSaver Jar Sealer over jar remove air with hand held until light turns green OR with FoodSaver unit using hose attachment when fully vacuumed, take the jar sealer off the canning jar put the ring on if you choose to - it's optional

FoodSaver is a very good brand at a good price point. My FoodSaver is probably a dozen years old or so, and it's still working (with a little coaxing now and then!). I prefer my type: over the newer model I see in Costco: It seems like the lower profile model is easier to store. Costco often has deals on the FoodSaver and bags. I highly recommend getting one. My frozen foods/meats are protected and I can defrost easily.