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Freezing Fruit
Freezing Fruit Monthly Page 2
Magazine

Freezing Fruit

Freezing is a good way to store fruit without added sugar.

Prepare Fruit

  • Wash hands with soap and water. 
  • Gather cooking tools and freezer containers. 
  • Rinse fruit gently under running water. 
  • Spread on a clean towel and pat dry to remove water. 
  • Peel, trim, pit and cut as desired. Aim for pieces that are about the same size.

Keep Fruit from Browning

  • Cover apples, bananas, peaches and pears with water as you peel and cut. 
  • Adding 1 Tablespoon of fresh or bottled lemon juice for each cup of water may help.
  • Drain water before packaging.

Cut apples, bananas, and lemons in a bowl of water with whole apples, bananas, and lemons next to the bowl.

Package for Freezing

  • Use containers that are air tight and freezer-safe. Label them with the fruit name and date. 
  • Put fruit right into the container or spread in one layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then put into the container. 
  • Remove as much air as possible from the package. Squeeze air from freezer bags or cover the top edge of food in a freezer container with a piece of plastic wrap before closing.
  • Close the container and freeze right away. For best quality, use within 8 to 12 months

Freezing fruit before packaging makes it easier to remove just the amount you want.

Packaged frozen raspberries, pineapple, and blackberries next to cut bananas, peaches, and apples on a tray for freezing.

Freezer Burn Basics

  • Freezer burn describes the white ice crystals that form on frozen foods. 
  • Freezer burned food is safe to eat, but the color, flavor and texture will be different. Use in a smoothie, sauce or soup. 
  • To reduce freezer burn, keep freezer at 0 degrees F and use air-tight freezer containers or 2 layers of packaging, such as wrapping then bagging or using 2 bags.

Freezing Fruit Whole or Cut

These fruits are best frozen whole:
  • Bananas 
  • Berries (blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, gooseberry, raspberry, strawberry)
  • Cherries
  • Currants
  • Figs
  • Grapes
These fruits are best frozen cut (chopped, mashed or sliced):
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Bananas
  • Grapefruit
  • Kiwis
  • Mangoes
  • Melons
  • Nectarines
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Rhubarb

Enjoy Frozen Fruit

Rhubarb Blueberry Crisp

Tropical Smoothie

Kids Can!

When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to: 

  • rinse fruit gently under running water. 
  • spread fruit on a flat pan for freezing. 
  • measure ingredients for smoothie.
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