Blanching bell peppers involves briefly immersing them in boiling water, followed by immediate submersion in ice water. This process partially cooks the peppers, softening their texture and enhancing their color. An example of its application is preparing peppers for freezing, where blanching inactivates enzymes that would otherwise degrade the peppers’ quality during storage.
The procedure provides several advantages. It preserves the peppers’ vibrant hue and crispness when freezing or canning. It also loosens the skin, making it easier to peel. Historically, blanching has been used as a preservation technique to extend the shelf life of various vegetables, mitigating spoilage and allowing for storage during periods of abundance for consumption later.