If you bought fruit in bulk, if your orchard gave you extra large production, or if you simply bought too many crates of ripe strawberries, you will need to find ways to manage the surplus. Instead of letting it rot, you can freeze it for use over the next few months. The procedure is based on a few simple steps: washing, cutting, freezing and storing the fruit.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning and Cutting the Fruit
Step 1. Wash and scrub the fruit with cold water to remove impurities
This way you can be sure that you don't get pesticide residues that may be on the surface of the fruit. Scrub the fruit with your fingers or a fruit and vegetable brush, then pat it gently with kitchen paper to dry.
- Be careful when washing fruit, especially if it is very ripe. Otherwise, you could easily damage the skin of soft fruits, such as peaches.
- It is not necessary to wash the fruit if you do not plan to eat the peel, as with bananas.
Step 2. Remove the peel and seeds if needed
Some fruits, such as peaches, have a large stone that must be removed. The general rule is that it is always best to remove the core, stem and as many seeds as possible from the fruit before placing it in the freezer.
- Core off pears and apples before cutting them. You can freeze them with or without peel.
- Remove the large central pit from fruits such as peaches, plums, and apricots. You can decide whether or not to remove the peel.
- Remember to remove the stalk and stone from the cherries.
- Remove the stalks from the strawberries before cutting them.
Step 3. Chop the fruit coarsely if you intend to use it to make a smoothie
Since you're going to have to blend it, it doesn't need to look good. Take a sharp knife and cut it into small pieces so they are easy to handle and freeze quickly. Check them one at a time to make sure they don't contain seeds before freezing them.
If you want to freeze the berries and use them in the future to make a smoothie, there is no need to cut them. Since they are very small, they generally freeze easily even if they are left whole
Step 4. Cut the fruit into slices or wedges if you intend to use it to make a cake
If you want to use it to make a tart or other type of dessert, it must be beautiful to look at. Cut it into evenly sized pieces or wedges for even cooking and beautiful presentation.
Try to cut the fruit into similar sized pieces even if you don't care what it will look like on a dessert. This will give you the confidence that all parts of the cake cook evenly
Part 2 of 3: Freezing the Fruit
Step 1. Arrange the fruit in the pan without overlapping it
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, then start distributing the pieces of fruit, leaving 1cm of empty space between them. They must not touch each other, otherwise when they are frozen you will have a hard time separating them.
- You can use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Make sure there is enough space in the freezer to store the pan with the fruit horizontally.
Step 2. Place the pan in the freezer
It is best to place it directly on one of the shelves to make sure it is perfectly horizontal. If you place it on an inclined surface, the pieces of fruit may slip and stick to each other as they freeze.
It is best to reserve an entire shelf of the freezer for fruit and prevent other food from falling and risking contamination
Step 3. Leave the fruit in the freezer until it is completely solid
The time required for it to freeze ranges from 3 to 12 hours, depending on the variety and size. Try not to leave it in the freezer uncovered for more than 24 hours to prevent cold burns.
- You should check the fruit pieces every 3 hours to make sure they are freezing properly and are still separated.
- Do not remove fruit from the freezer until you are ready to transfer it to the containers.
Part 3 of 3: Storing the Frozen Fruit
Step 1. Get some bags or containers suitable for freezing food
The containers must have a lid and ensure an airtight seal to protect the fruit from the humidity of the freezer. Since some varieties of plastics tend to get damaged in cold temperatures, you need to make sure they are suitable for use in the freezer before filling them. Alternatively, you can use zip lock freezer bags.
In addition, it is advisable to label the containers or bags specifying the type of fruit and the date of preparation
Step 2. Transfer the fruit to the containers
When it is completely frozen, you can remove it from the pan and transfer it to the containers you have selected. If necessary, use a spatula or knife to gently peel it off the parchment paper. Try to put only one type of fruit in each container.
- When transferring fruit to containers, try not to touch them with your fingers to prevent them from heating up and thawing. Eventually wear a pair of plastic gloves to protect her from the heat of your hands.
- If you have chosen to use resealable plastic bags, gently squeeze them to release as much air as possible before sealing them.
Step 3. Use the vacuum sealer if you want the fruit to stay fresh
Frozen fruit can lose flavor if it is left in the freezer for a long time. To avoid this, you can vacuum seal it. Put the fruit in the bags, put the open end into the machine, press the power button and wait for the machine to suck the air in the bag and seal it airtight.
When you are ready to use the frozen fruit, you will need to cut the bag with scissors
Step 4. Store fruit in the freezer for up to 3 months
Frozen fruit can last a long time without losing flavor and freshness. When you're ready to use it, you can decide whether to let it defrost or not, depending on the recipe.
