Berry picking raspberries
Mmm, fresh fruit, yummy smoothies, yogurt fruit parfaits, frozen fruit pops, chocolate dipped fruit, homemade jam, pies, and the list goes on. There is so much you can do with seasonal fresh fruit. The best thing is, you can easily freeze fresh fruit to enjoy later on in the year.
From Fresh to Frozen
Plan Your Pick
Maybe you don’t have the time or space to grow your own strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries or tree fruit. However, an outing to a nearby pick-your-own or you-pick farm is fun for the whole family. You will need to call or go online to find out what fruit is available to pick right now, and when the farm is open, which can change with the heat, storm threats and fruit ripeness. Ask if they are a certified organic farm or if they use pesticides. Plan to bring a delicious picnic lunch in a cooler and lots of water for hydration. Kids love a picnic and the special occasion treats you surprise them with.
Have the family wear comfortable old clothes, hats and sneakers or shoes. No one has to look squeeky clean in photos, getting dirty is part of the fun. To save time, put sunscreen on before you leave home, and reapply every few hours.
Take note of the farm rules when you arrive. The staff will give you instructions on how to pick the fruit from the plants. Many farms offer a variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables depending on when they are ripe. Find out the costs, forms of payment accepted, and if they have restroom facilities. Hayrides, food and other activities may also be available, so bring plenty of money with you.
Freeze It Up
Freezing fresh fruit is easy and does not take much time. If you opt to wash fruit before freezing, make sure it is thouroughly dry before popping it into the freezer. Wet fruit will get freezer burn much faster than dry fruit. Peaches, pears, nectarines, apples and other tree fruits can be sliced or cut into chunks prior to freezing. Properly stored fruit can last 6-12 months in the freezer.
Cut parchment paper to fit the tray. Make room in the freezer for the tray. Place berries or fruit on the parchment paper covered tray, leaving a little space between each item. Freezing fruit on parchment paper will help keep the berries or fruit from sticking together or to the tray.
After the fruit is frozen, transfer it to plastic bags or freezer containers. Fill containers completely. Squeeze air out of plastic bags to help prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with the type of fruit and the date. Store them in the freezer to enjoy whenever you want delicious fresh tasting fruit.
When you want some fruit, remove what you need from the container and thaw to room temperature or in the refrigerator. Put the unused fruit back in the freezer right away. After thawing, be sure to wash the fruit if it was frozen without being rinsed.
Consider picking some extra fruit to donate to your local food pantry or soup kitchen. Call ahead to find out what they need. You can also bake pies, muffins or other desserts for them. Children who give back to the community when they are young will grow up with a strong sense of care and concern for the welfare of others.
Enjoy!
Great news! The kids will love eating the fruit even more because they picked it themselves. And of course children enjoy baking and concocting food. They will take ownership while consuming vitamins and antioxidants without complaining.
FIND MORE:
Looking for where to go in the area to pick berries? Check out our list by Clicking Here!
Sarah T. Yale is a mom and a writer whose children love outdoor family adventures, exploring, learning and creating.