As the old saying goes, get your sled ready in the summer! To provide yourself with a vitamin supply for the cold period, you need to try to keep all edible fruits in their proper form. We want to share a few secrets to help you enjoy the wonderful taste of summer on cold winter evenings.
So, winter freezing allows you to almost completely preserve the benefits of berries (fruits, herbs, etc.), since the cold acts as a natural preservative. In order for the fruits to remain fresh and retain their shape after several months, they must be frozen young, not overripe - otherwise they will spread. Berries should be selected whole and dense, without insects and other damage (to remove pests, you can place the berries in a solution of sodium chloride). After selecting the best fruits, they must be washed, seeds and stalks removed, dried (in the sun or on a towel) and laid out in one layer on a baking sheet.
In order for berries and fruits to retain their shape and useful properties, before the main freezing, lay them out in one layer and leave in the freezer for about 4 hours until hardened. Longer freezing in one layer may adversely affect the physical characteristics. After all the berries (fruits) have undergone the freezing procedure, they can be transferred with a wooden spoon (otherwise they will stick to your hands) into a container in several layers, which for convenience can be separated with parchment or cellophane, or into plastic bags (depending on the design your freezer and personal preference). You can grind the berries and freeze them in the form of mashed potatoes with or without sugar. To keep cranberries for several months, it is enough to fill them with water and refrigerate.
It is also necessary to take into account the temperature regime of the freezer: for storage for more than 3 months, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of -18 to -23 degrees. At temperatures from 0 to -8, products are stored for no more than 3 months.
What can be prepared from frozen berries? Here is a small list: berry smoothie, fruit ice cream, compote, jelly, pie, pies, tart, strudel, muffins, panna cotta, pudding and much more. Bon appetit and stay healthy!
See also anekdotig:
- Tip: " Buy local food " (November 9, 2015)
- Article: How to properly store food .