Wednesday Wonders: Freezing Fruit
Q: Hi! I’m a berry lover and buy strawberries even during the pricey winter months because I enjoy having them each morning for breakfast. I am getting ready to go away for a few days and have some left over. Can I cut them up and freeze them for when I return? Thanks! — Berry Lover
A: Hi Berry Lover!
Great question. The answer is yes — you can definitely freeze them. I’ve previously talked about frozen produce and what a great way it is to save money when fresh produce is out of season. However, if you have access to out of season produce or just really like to have the fresh stuff all year round, you definitely don’t want it to go to waste — especially if you’ve spent a lot on it. Here’s how you can freeze fresh berries for them to keep well:
- Wash the berries and let them drain very well. You want to be extra careful with strawberries to make sure there is no moisture left. Strawberries are like sponges, they soak up water, which can leave them mushy.
- Spread the berries on a cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze them for a few hours or overnight.
- Once frozen, place the berries in a resealable bag, remove all the air, and store in the freezer.
Your frozen berries should be good for a few months, and can easily be defrosted to top your morning bowl of cereal, add to yogurt, or make into a smoothie. Keep in mind that you can also buy berries during the summer when the prices are cheaper and freeze them for winter use.
Do you have a Wednesday Wonder? Keep on sending your nutritioulicious™ questions to me at jessica@nutritioulicious.com!
This is great to know! What’s the best way to thaw them out?