Is it possible to freeze pears in the freezer for the winter and how to do it correctly
In winter, the body especially needs vitamins. Despite the abundance of different drugs in pharmacies, people are trying to make useful preparations from vegetables and fruits as much as possible. Freezing is very popular today. How to freeze pears in the freezer for the winter without losing useful vitamins, further in the article. To preserve the taste and texture, the hostesses use some secrets.
Features of freezing pears for the winter
Pears perfectly tolerate low temperatures. As a rule, they are peeled and cut into pieces.
Before freezing, fruits should be sprinkled with lemon juice, this will preserve their color.
Fruits can be frozen in slices in plastic boxes or special zip bags. Sometimes the bag is placed in a rectangular container, fruit is poured and frozen. Next, the bag is taken out and a perfect rectangle is obtained, which is convenient to place in the chamber.
It is convenient to freeze pear puree in ice cube trays. They are used for making desserts, pastries, cereals, salads.
Selection and preparation of pears before starting the process
Pears can be frozen in several ways, but you must first select and prepare them:
- Correct fruit picking, which is responsible for taste and storage.
- The collection period directly depends on the pear variety. It is important to find a middle ground. The fruits should not be too hard, but also not soft.
- If the freezing is not carried out immediately after removal, then the pears are placed in wooden boxes, the bottom of which must be laid with straw, sawdust or foam. Next, they need to be placed in a cool place. The ideal temperature is up to 5 degrees.
- Rinse the fruits thoroughly before freezing. Spread out on a towel until completely dry.
- Then choose the best way.
Freezer preparation
For high-quality freezing of fruits, you must have either a refrigerator with a camera or a separate freezer. It has several branches. The upper compartment is designed for quick freezing. Initially, food is placed there, and then they can be stored in the lower compartments.
If you can see snow on the walls when you open the chamber, then summer is the ideal time to defrost it. Remove any remaining food and turn off the power. Then, after defrosting, rinse and wipe the shelves.
Close the doors and turn on the power. The freezer is ready to go.
How to freeze pears at home: step by step instructions
Pears can be frozen in a variety of ways. If space permits, you can use several at once, and later on, stop at the one you like.
In syrup
The following products are required for freezing:
- pears - 1 kg;
- sugar - 0.5 kg;
- vanillin - 1 sachet;
- lemon juice - 1 tsp;
- water - 1 glass.
Cooking method:
- Wash and dry the pears thoroughly.
- Remove cores and tails, cut into pieces. Can be peeled.
- Mix water with sugar and vanilla. Over low heat, stirring constantly, bring until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Blanch the pears there for 3 minutes.
- Place pears in a food container. Close the lid.
- Freeze on the topmost shelf of the freezer.
- Once completely frozen, store in the lower compartments.
Slices or pieces
Instructions for freezing pears in the freezer in slices:
- Select slightly unripe fruits. Wash and dry them.
- Remove the tails and the middle. Cut into slices.
- Drizzle with lemon juice.
- Cover a tray or dish with cling film. Arrange the pieces in one layer.
- Place in the freezer for 2 days.
- Then pour into plastic bags.
- Remove air from bags completely and tie well.
In sugar
Most often, this method is used when harvesting fruits. It is simple and easy to do.
Cooking method:
- Prepare fruit, peel and cut into cubes. It is advisable to remove the peel.
- Place in food containers in layers, sprinkle each layer with sugar.
- Close the lid tightly and send to freeze.
- It must be indicated on the container that the piece contains sugar.
Storage
Fruit can be stored in modern freezers for a very long time. The blanks do not lose their useful properties and remain unchanged in taste.
Frozen vegetables can be stored for 12 months at temperatures below 15 degrees. Repeated defrosting and freezing of food is prohibited. From this they deteriorate, and the shelf life is reduced.
Defrosting
The defrosting method is selected depending on the use.
If you just want to feast on pieces of pear, make a salad with yogurt out of them, then you must first measure the required amount and put it in the refrigerator. By morning, the treat will be ready.
It is not recommended to use quick defrosting methods for pears - microwave oven, hot water. A sharp temperature drop will lead to the loss of useful qualities. Fruits will lose flavor, juice, firmness and structural integrity.
Defrosting at room temperature does not harm the beneficial properties, but affects the appearance.
For the preparation of compotes, teas and liqueurs, the fruits can be used frozen.
If the berries will be used to make dumplings or pies, they can be used directly from the freezer.
To make jelly and mousse, thawed pears will be required, since the gelatin simply will not solidify.
If you plan to cook charlotte, defrost the fruits and drain the excess liquid. When decorating the cake, you can use frozen fruits.