Raspberries are a nutrient-rich snack, unfortunately they are only available in the spring and summer months. By freezing them in late summer, you can keep them fresh for longer. Frozen fruit can be eaten on its own or added to smoothies, yogurt, and ice cream. Storage in the freezer offers the opportunity to enjoy raspberries all year round.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Picking Raspberries
Step 1. Find out about the seasonality of raspberries
Seasonal fruit is fresher and tastier, but also cheaper. Raspberries are usually available between May-June and September-October, depending on where you live.
Step 2. Observe the color of the fruit
Ripe raspberries should be bright red and have a homogeneous color. If they are dark, then they are overripe and the flavor will not be the best. Dark spots, on the other hand, are generally due to simple dents that do not cause particular alterations.
Step 3. Gently pat the fruit
Although they are quite fragile, raspberries should still feel firm to the touch. Press them gently. If they yield very easily or are excessively mushy, it is likely that the ripening phase has been well overtaken.
Step 4. Avoid overly moist containers
If the package is damp, it is possible that the fruit is already overripe and therefore represents a breeding ground for mold.
Step 5. Check the packaging to see if it has any traces of mold
When raspberries have some sort of white or greenish fluff, avoid buying them. If you've bought a pack of raspberries and find they only have this problem once you get home, be sure to throw away any moldy ones to avoid contaminating others. Also, get rid of all overly mushy raspberries, as they are a breeding ground for mold.
Part 2 of 2: Freezing the Raspberries
Step 1. Rinse the raspberries with cold water
Do not wash them directly under running water: being fragile, they can crumble. Instead, put them in a colander, then dip it into a bowl filled with cold water and swirl the raspberries in it very gently.
Step 2. Let the raspberries dry
Spreading them out on a paper towel is the fastest drying method ever.
Step 3. Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper
Step 4. Spread the raspberries on the baking sheet in a single layer
Don't let them touch each other, or they'll stick in the freezer and you'll break them when you try to separate them.
Step 5. Place the pan in the freezer
Step 6. Leave the raspberries in the freezer for a full day
Before removing them from the freezer, make sure they are frozen and solidified. If you leave them uncovered for several days, they risk getting a cold burn. As a result, make sure you don't keep them in the freezer for more than a day.
Step 7. Remove the frozen raspberries from the freezer the next day
Remove them from the pan and place them in a freezer bag or container. Put them back in the freezer.
Step 8. Add sugar if desired
You can sweeten raspberries before freezing them to make them tastier.
- Place a handful of frozen raspberries in the bag, then sprinkle with sugar. Do this by layering the remaining raspberries until the sachet is full.
- Let the fruit defrost for about 15 minutes. This way it will absorb the sugar.
- Then, close the container tightly and place it in the freezer.
Step 9. Take the raspberries out of the freezer when you want to use them
They can be stored for up to a year in the freezer. You can use them directly or let them defrost.
