Being a resident of the Great White North, I have to make the most of the short growing season that we have. During the few months of summer we manage to grow different fruits & vegetables,eating some while it is fresh, and preserving the rest of the bounty so that we can enjoy the fresh flavour all winter long. One way of doing this is freezing the fruit shortly after picking it. There is no need to pay the high prices of frozen fruit at the store when it is easy to freeze blueberries at home.
To begin, fill a clean sink with water. Add your blueberries and gently stir them around with your hands.
Line a baking sheet that has sides with a few layers of paper towels. Lint free towels would work for this too, paper towels are just much easier. Remove the berries by the handful, allowing the water to drain. Turn the berries over in your hands, and inspect for any damaged or rotting berries, as well as any stems that need removing. Place the cleaned, drained berries on a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 2 hours, or overnight.
Measure out the berries and place in a resealable freezer bag. Be sure to label the bag with the date and amount. This will make it easier for you when you want to bake something with blueberries. If a recipe calls for 2 cups, you just have to defrost 1 two cup package. I find freezing in one and two cup packages is the most convenient.
What is your favourite method of preserving berries? Do you prefer to freeze them or can them?
Looking for recipes to use those blueberries in? Here’s a few suggestions:
Gluten-Free Blubarb (Blueberry Rhubarb) Cobbler
Gluten-Free Blueberry Mango Crisp
Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Doughnut Holes
john huff says
Looks great. I freeze Berries then vacum pack.===
Jeanine Friesen says
If I had a food vacuum, I’d probably go that route too. Great way to keep them air-tight!
Pat T says
We pick blueberries at this very scenic place in Wisconsin. Their instructions and other I have read say not to wash the blueberries before freezing. Washing and then freezing gives them a tougher skin. Anyone experience this?
Jeanine Friesen says
Interesting, Pat. I’ve never heard of that. I can see not washing raspberries (although I’d still rinse them), but can’t see why that would affect a blueberry. I’ve never had a problem though.
Elise says
I grew up on a blueberry farm and to comment on what Pat T wrote, I was always told to let the customer know not to rinse or wash them first. I know that on the outside of a blueberry there is a natural wax that protects it and keeps it fresher longer (but that is normally for refrigerated keeping or leaving out). That could be what helps keep it from getting a tougher skin. But other than that I can’t remember why they said to tell them that.
Jeanine Friesen says
Very interesting, thanks for sharing, Elise!