Rotary screw blancher

A food processing apparatus comprising:

• a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product;
• a screen mounted within the compartment, the screen including a screen wall having a length, a circumferential first end and an opposite, circumferential second end, the first end and the second end defining therebetween a circumferentially-extending open portion of the screen, the open portion extending along at least a portion of the length of the screen wall, the screen being oriented relative to an auger during a food processing operation in a first orientation, in which a sidewall portion of the screen supports the food product and the open portion opens at least partially upwardly in a first direction, a screen position being adjustable to a second orientation relative to the auger, in which the screen is oriented such that the sidewall portion is accessible for cleaning;
• and
• an auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, a portion of the auger being accessible through the open portion of the screen, the auger being rotatable about an axis and for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end.