Frozen fruit is a delicious alternative to snacks. In fact, it can be used to prepare easy and surprisingly tasty snacks, appetizing for both adults and children. In addition to being low in calories, fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and is also great for a refreshing snack in the summer. It is perfect as a post-workout snack and helps maintain proper hydration.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Freeze the Fruit
Step 1. Experiment to figure out which types of frozen fruit you like best
Any type of fruit can be safely frozen for up to one year. Some fruits retain an excellent flavor even after freezing, while others must be defrosted before use. The choice depends entirely on your personal taste. Some ideas:
- Bananas;
- Papaya;
- Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
- Kiwi;
- Oranges
- Pineapple;
- Blueberries;
- Seedless grapes.
Step 2. Freeze the bananas
Frozen bananas are loved by everyone because they have a texture similar to that of ice cream. Peel them and cut them in half. Wrap them in cling film (optional), spread them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. It will take about two hours to freeze, but ideally they should be left in the freezer overnight.
If you have children, stick them with a popsicle stick before freezing them so they can grab them with their hands
Step 3. Try frozen berries
If you have strawberries, wash them, remove the leaves and stem, then freeze them for several hours. It is also possible to freeze blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Let them defrost for about 10 minutes before serving.
Step 4. Snack on frozen watermelon and oranges
Cut the oranges into quarters and the watermelon into bite-sized pieces. Wrap the fruit in cling film and place it on a plate or tray. Freeze it for several hours.
Step 5. Make frozen fruit skewers
Chop the fruit and skewer it with a skewer. Place it in the freezer and then remove it once it has solidified. Calculate, more or less, two or three hours. It is a perfect snack for a barbecue or while sunbathing by the pool.
- Strawberries and bananas are a great combination.
- Watermelon and grapes, together, can be a delicious summer snack.
- On the other hand, orange and mango cubes are great for preparing a sophisticated tropical snack.
Step 6. Try frozen grapes
Grapes are low in calories, but rich in vitamins and antioxidants. When frozen, it becomes pleasantly crunchy and the central part acquires a consistency similar to that of a sorbet.
- Wash a large bunch of grapes with cold or warm water and pat it dry with a paper towel. The berries do not need to be completely dry.
- Place the grapes in an airtight plastic bag and freeze them overnight.
- Frozen berries can also be placed directly in a glass of white wine instead of ice.
Step 7. Freeze the mango cubes
Cut two mangoes into cubes, place them in an airtight bag and freeze them. Serve them alone or with a few drops of lime juice. They should freeze in about two hours.
Kiwis prepared in this way are also delicious
Method 2 of 3: Making Frozen Fruit Snacks
Step 1. Try the chocolate glazed kiwifruit
Cut the kiwifruit into slices of about 10 mm and pat them with a paper towel. Dip the slices in melted chocolate, spread them into a container lined with aluminum foil, and let them freeze for two to three hours.
Step 2. Make yogurt covered strawberries
Buy 500g of strawberries, cut the leaves on the end and roll them one at a time in Greek yogurt. Use about 250ml of yogurt. Spread them in a large plastic container in a single layer and freeze them. You can also spread them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Once frozen, you can move them to a plastic container or airtight bag and keep them in the freezer for as long as you like.
- Try different flavors of yogurt, such as vanilla or chocolate.
- Try mixing Greek yogurt with honey to garnish strawberries.
- Strawberries can also be stuffed with yogurt. Remove the core of the pulp and replace it with yogurt.
Step 3. Try making a smoothie with frozen bananas
Peel several bananas and freeze them for two to three hours. Put the frozen bananas in a food processor or blender and whisk until a creamy consistency is obtained. Serve them in a tall smoothie glass.
Add sweet ingredients to add flavor, such as dark chocolate chips or peanut butter. Use the amount you want based on your preferences and the calories expected from your daily requirement
Step 4. Make mini popsicles with lemon and berries
For this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients: lemonade, honey, a handful of sliced or diced berries, and an ice cube tray. Use your favorite berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries.
- Pour some honey into the bottom of the tub;
- Pour the lemonade into the compartments of the tray and distribute the berries you have cut between them;
- Cover the tray with a sheet of aluminum foil and insert a toothpick in the center of each compartment;
- Freeze the pan for several hours until you have mini fruit popsicles.
Step 5. Try blueberry and yogurt skewers
Skewer several blueberries with a wooden skewer and roll them in Greek yogurt. Line the skewers on a plate and freeze them until the yogurt has solidified.
Step 6. Try frozen banana and peanut butter treats
In a few minutes you can prepare mini banana ice cream sandwiches. In addition to being greedy, they contain few calories, while they are rich in protein and fiber.
- Blend a ripe banana, a tablespoon of peanut butter and 50g of vanilla Greek yogurt.
- Peel three bananas and cut them into slices of about 10 mm;
- Spread the yogurt and peanut butter cream on a slice of banana and then press it against another slice to make a sandwich;
- Spread the morsels on a plate and freeze them for two to three hours.
Step 7. Try an apricot and raspberry smoothie
In the jug of a blender, pour a jar of apricot nectar (about 170 g), three fresh apricots cut in half, three ice cubes and a tablespoon of honey. Blend them until smooth. Add 30 g of frozen raspberries and blend for a few more seconds - the raspberries should mash slightly, but not liquefy. Serve the smoothie cold in a tall glass.
Step 8. Try a cantaloupe and lime smoothie
Pour half a teaspoon of lime zest, two tablespoons of lime juice, 250 g of diced frozen cantaloupe, 75 g of diced frozen fish, one tablespoon of honey and three ice cubes into the jug of a blender.. Blend everything until you get a smooth drink and serve it in a tall glass.
Step 9. Try a strawberry and banana smoothie
Prepare 150 g of frozen strawberries, 120 ml of orange juice and a banana. Put all the ingredients in the jug of a blender and blend them until you get a smooth drink. Immediately pour it into a tall glass and serve it.
Method 3 of 3: Treat the Fruit
Step 1. Wash the fruit well
If the package indicates that it is ready to eat, there is no need to repeat the washing, unless you prefer it. Don't wash the berries until it's time to serve (or freeze) them.
- Wash your hands well, plus clean the kitchen counter, sink, and cutting board.
- Wash the fruit with cold or lukewarm tap water. Hot or boiling water can cause it to deteriorate.
- Gently scrub the entire fruit (such as an apple or pear) with a soft-bristled brush or your fingers.
- Use a fruit-specific cleaner if desired, but water alone should suffice.
- Do you want to soak the fruit? Fill a bowl with three parts water and one part vinegar, then let the fruit soak for five to 10 minutes. This step can help make it last longer, but it's totally optional.
Step 2. Prevent frozen fruit pieces from sticking together
When it comes to freezing fruit, try not to stack the slices or cubes wet, otherwise you will end up with a block of fruit that will be difficult to eat (and even more difficult to share).
- Wash the fruit before cutting it.
- Dab the fruit with a sheet of kitchen paper. You can leave it slightly damp, but not completely wet.
- Spread the fruit on a cookie sheet or large plate. Line the surface of the baking sheet or plate with a sheet of wax paper.
- Make sure you don't get the pieces too close together and don't stack them.
- Once the fruit has frozen completely, you can place it in a plastic container or large airtight freezer bag. This way the pieces of fruit won't stick together.
Step 3. Try using toothpicks and popsicle sticks
Before freezing fruit, stick it with toothpicks or popsicle sticks. Once frozen, snacks will be easier to eat because you can grab the toothpick or stick.
- Insert the end of a popsicle stick into larger pieces of fruit, such as half of a banana.
- Use toothpicks for smaller fruits, like melon cubes, or to make mini popsicles with the ice cube tray. Decorative toothpicks add a touch of panache and you can find them in the supermarket, in the baking tray and other baking tools department.
Step 4. Store fruit properly
Remove it as much as possible from raw meat, fish and poultry - the juice from the meat can drip onto the fruit and contaminate it. Avoid this by keeping it on top of raw meat in the refrigerator.
Separate the fruit from the meat in the cart and shopping bags
Step 5. Learn to distinguish which fruit to keep in the fridge
Most fruit should be stored in the fridge at a temperature of four or five degrees Celsius or below. Tropical fruit, such as mango, should not be placed in the refrigerator, as low temperatures can dry it out, cause it to blacken and alter its flavor.
- Store cherries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in the fridge. Don't wash them until you plan to eat them (or freeze them), as water can cause them to deteriorate.
- Store apples for up to a week on the kitchen counter, while in the fridge they can be kept longer.
- Store citrus fruits in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator.
- Keep the melon on a shelf in the refrigerator instead of in the fruit drawer.
- Peaches, plums, nectarines and drupes in general should be left to ripen in a paper bag on the kitchen counter, and then move them to the refrigerator.
Step 6. Choose a cutting board to be used only and exclusively for fruit
Use separate cutting boards for meat, fruit and vegetables to prevent possible contamination. Wash the fruit board before each use.
To help you remember to separate the cutting boards, buy them in different colors for different uses. For example, a red one for raw meat, a green one for vegetables and a yellow one for fruit
Step 7. Watch out for pesticides
Before preparing the fruit, be sure to wash it well. Many types of fruit have been included in a list compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which lists the 12 foods most prone to contamination by pesticides. To avoid exposing yourself to the potential harm done by contaminants, here are the fruits you should watch out for:
- Strawberries;
- Apples;
- Nectarine;
- Peaches;
- Grape;
- Cherries;
- Strawberry grapes;
- Blueberries.
