Freezing Fruit and Desserts

Fruits and Berries

Most every type of fruits and berries freeze well: if you can grow it, you can freeze it! 

Prep

• Prepare the fruits and berries so they are good enough to eat (remove stems, etc).
• Rinse with cool water. Drain and dry thoroughly.
• Cut fruit into desired slices or chunks for easy use once frozen.
  
• Sprinkle with lemon juice to keep color.
• To sugar or not to sugar? I prefer not to sugar until I am ready to use the fruit or berries, and even then I only add sugar that the recipe I'm using calls for.

Freeze

• Flash freeze fruit pieces or berries on a non-stick sheet (can use parchment or plastic wrap) - spread out in a single layer and place in freezer until just frozen. Transfer frozen items to sealed storage container or bag and store in freezer. Flash freezing allows you to grab just a handful of frozen items instead of having to use the whole container at once.
• Remove as much air as possible from storage containers.
• Measure before bagging - how much is needed for your favorite recipes? Measure it now so you can grab just what you need.
• Remember, the items will freeze in the shape they are frozen in! If you lay those zippered bags flat when freezing, it makes them easier to stack in the freezer.