One of my favorite fruits, these are sweet and juicy strawberries, but their strawberry plants season is very short. Hence, many fruit enthusiasts wish to enjoy their harvest for the whole year round. In order to solve this problem, one really good method of preserving strawberries is through freezing and canning. You would definitely have tasty strawberries at hand irrespective of the season. This freezing and canning guide on strawberries teaches professional methods to savor fresh flavor all around the year in strawberries.
Why Preserve Strawberries?
Strawberries are rather perishable fruits that become soggy quickly unless preserved. By the time they are harvested, they can get limber in a couple of days and start rotting. That is why freezing or canning strawberries will save you from losing all the nutrients and natural sweetness they contain, hence you get to enjoy them beyond harvest time. Preserving strawberries is certainly the effort, be it baking, blending into smoothies, or just munching.
Freezing Strawberries: The Best Way to Enjoy Freshness
Believe it or not, one of the best methods to preserve fresh strawberries is to freeze them. The frozen strawberries are excellent for smoothies, and sauces, or thawed and used in desserts.
Choosing the Best Strawberries to Freeze
Not all strawberries freeze equally well. For the best, choose fully ripe and firm strawberries. Avoid mushy or overly ripe berries-they will not freeze well. Always inspect the fruit for any blemishes or mold; choose only the healthiest strawberries.
Preparing Strawberries for Freezing
Begin by washing the strawberries using cold running water to wash away all the dirt without damaging the fruit. After washing them down, lay them on a clean towel to air them dry. Moisture causes freezer burn; therefore, freeze the strawberries free of moisture.
Hand or device hull and remove stalks and leaves. Strawberries can be frozen whole sliced or halved. Whole berries are perfect for smoothies; sliced strawberries are great for desserts.
Flash freezing for the perfect texture
Flash freezing enables the strawberries to freeze rapidly in a pattern such that they will not drop their texture and form. Prepare the strawberries using one of the methods provided above. Put them in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Do not let them overlap as they will stick together once frozen. Put the sheet in the freezer for a few hours, or overnight, until the berries are hard.
Storage of Frozen Strawberries
Fill the strawberries into airtight freezer bags or containers once they freeze completely. Remove as much air as you can and seal it tightly so it will not experience freezer burn. Then mark each bag with its date so you know how long it’s been in the fridge. Frozen strawberries could remain good for 12 months, but it is best if it is consumed within six to eight months with the flavor and texture at their best.
Strawberry Preserves All Year Round: Canning Strawberries
Another great way of preserving your harvest, especially for jam, sauce, or syrup lovers, is strawberry canning. These take a bit more work compared to freezing, but amazing flavors with a long shelf life make them worthwhile with extra effort placed into the preparations.
Best Strawberries to Can
Unlike freezing, for canning, the quality of your strawberries makes all the difference. Choose ripe, juicy berries that have no blemish or sign of rot. Underripe strawberries are less ideal for freezing because they will be bigger, but less apt to break down during freezing. But for canning, a tad bit of underripe strawberries will serve exceptionally well because they will not lose their shape during the canning process.
Sterilizing Jars and Lids
Sterilize jars with lids ahead of time so that when you are canning, those preserves in the jar will be safe and good to eat. Wash the jars with hot soapy water and air-dry them with a clean towel. Put jars and lids in boiling water for about 10 minutes in order that there will be no bacterial growth once inside the jars. Air-dry them with a clean towel. Prep strawberries now.
Preparation of Strawberries for Canning
Wash and hull strawberries as you would if you were freezing them. Crushing berries to your desired consistency if you are making jam. If using whole or cut-up strawberries, leave them whole.
Your recipe involves adding sugar and/or a sweet syrup. To make the simple syrup, you can just mix equal parts of water and sugar, and boil it until dissolved, and that helps preserve the natural juice and sweetness of the fruit from fruit trees.
The Water Bath Canning Process
Most strawberries are preserved through water bath canning. It is the process where jars of strawberries are placed in boiling water to create a vacuum seal. During the process, the chances of bacteria damaging the fruits are eliminated and kept for periods.
Start by packing clean-up sterilized jars with prepared strawberries. Leave half an inch in the head space. Top them off with hot syrup to cover the strawberries. Before placing the lids on, make sure to clean off any residue on the rims of the jars, and using a flat tool, press the lids down onto the jars tightly.
Fill clean, hot jars with cooked strawberries, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal. Place in a boiling water bath canner. Be certain the water is rolling. Process for 10-15 minutes depending on your altitude. Remove hot jars from the canner. Set on the towel-lined countertop and let cool.
Let them cool. To test the seals on jars, press your fingers on top of each jar, being sure to touch the center of the top of each jar. If they don’t bounce back they are sealed tight. If the lid pops back then the seal is not tight enough and you should refrigerate the jar for use within a week.
Pour sealed jars into a cool dark place, like a pantry or cupboard. Similar to all other fruits canned and done, the strawberries will keep up to 18 months, though their quality is best used within a year.
Conclusion
Freezing and canning your strawberry yield is definitely one sure way to enjoy the fruit throughout the year for its great taste and nutritious value. The best way to enjoy maximum from your harvest through bright, full-flavored berries there waiting for you every day is through these expert guidelines on how to freeze and can strawberries. From frozen strawberries to canned preserves, you will enjoy the taste of this sweet strawberry throughout the year.