My 3 year old loves blueberries, but they get so expensive in the off season that we don't get them much over the winter. Now that they are more affordable (and tasty), I was wondering if I could buy and freeze them for later. We've tried the already frozen kind, but they are super gooey and not very tasty. I was thinking I could maybe spread them out on a cookie sheet to freeze them, then put them in a freezer bag. Anyone ever frozen fresh fruit? We have a deep freeze.
ETA: About how long do they last in a deep freeze?
Thanks, all! He loves them plain, but also puts them in yogurt and oatmeal so being gooey isn't a problem.
We freeze fruit all of the time.
But remember the berries will not be exactly the same texture as when they were fresh.
They will still be great in yogurt, for baking, and used in smoothies.
I place a piece of wax paper on top of a cookie sheet. I make sure the fruit is not wet. then lay it all out on the cookie sheet. I try to make sure the fruit is not touching, freeze and then later place the frozen fruit in ziplocks.
Yes, in fact we just bought a bunch at the farmer's market and plan to freeze some. Do use the cookie sheet method so they don't stick together.
We also go berry picking in the summer and freeze Blackberries, Raspberries and Strawberries. Other fruit like Nectarines and Peaches work if you're using them in baking or for smoothies.
We love summer fruit!
Sure, all the time, but I think you're expecting something that can't happen.
Berries, once frozen, are always soft/gooey when they thaw. Freezing your own will not change that. The process of freezing expands the water in the cells which causes the structure of the berry to change. Once frozen they are good for cooking, smoothies, topping yogurt or ice cream, etc but they will never turn back into 'fresh berry' state.
I freeze blueberries, Saskatoons, strawberries, bananas and apples. I use them for making pies, crisps, cobblers, banana bread, muffins, smoothies and dessert toppings. They will be mushy after they have been frozen, so not really good for eating on their own. I freeze enough to last all winter.
Sure, I freeze bunches upon bunches of blueberries., We use them to make muffins or cakes. I freeze strawberries and bananas too. Great in smoothies or banana bread.
I've used berries that were a year old.
We often freeze fruit. Even if it doesn't thaw back to the fresh texture, they work GREAT for smoothies. Making Popsicles with frozen fruit and coconut water (or sprite) are one of our favorite summer treats. We also freeze grapes, and eat them straight from the freezer. (They don't really freeze solid. It's great!)
i do it every year. i've got two awesome no or low-spray blueberry farms nearby, so i aim to pick enough to last me a year. this spring was the first time i ran out and had to go buy costco berries.
blueberries are the easiest too. i just wash 'em, dry them and then immediately spread them out on baking sheets (i give it a quick spritz with cooking spray first so i can get them off easily. i've never had it leave a taste on them.) then in the freezer for a few hours or days, and then into freezer bags. i love to open them in the middle of winter and inhale- summer sweetness!
they last a couple of years, but mine never make it that long<G>.
i do it with strawberries, cherries and peaches too.
:) khairete
S.
