Can You Freeze Apricots?
Apricots are seasonal fruits and you must be buying them every season. They are loved by everyone and can be had in a number of ways. You must have your favorite way of having apricots. While dry apricots are available throughout the year, you will not find fresh apricots always.
You must be looking for ways to keep your apricots for longer so that you can enjoy them all through the year. What can you do? Can you freeze apricots? Yes, you can freeze apricots. In fact, they are one of those fruits that freeze really well.
However, while freezing it is important that you follow the steps properly, otherwise, the apricots might spoil. Freezing apricots also saves you money as you can buy bulks of the fruit and store them effectively for later use.
One important thing that you should keep in mind while freezing apricots: Do not freeze them whole. Instead, slice them into halves and remove the pits before freezing. It is technically possible to freeze apricots whole, but if you cut and freeze them, it will be easier for you to defrost and consume the fruit later.
How Well Do Apricots React To Freezing?
Do apricots freeze well? Yes, apricots are one of those fruits that freeze really well. It is also quite easy to freeze and defrost apricots. And because of their freezer-friendly properties, apricots last in the freezer for about 12 months without any texture or flavor alterations.
However, it is necessary to follow proper freezing guidelines for freezing apricots. This is because they contain moisture and a slight negligence in the freezing process will spoil your apricots. You would not want that to happen. So make sure you follow the freezing instructions adequately.
How To Freeze Apricots?
Freezing apricots are simple but need special care and attention; otherwise, they might tend to spoil sooner. You can either freeze your apricots with the skin or without, both of them react to freezing well.
The process of freezing apricots needs some time. Check out the steps for freezing apricots here.
- Before freezing your apricots, make sure to wash them. Rinse them thoroughly in cold water, and pat dry the apricots with a paper towel. Let the apricots dry completely before proceeding further.
- After washing, cut the apricots into halves. You can also choose not to cut them into halves. This will depend on how you intend to use them later. But do not forget to remove the pit. Do it carefully with a sharp knife.
- Place and layer the apricots on a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Do not let the apricots overlap with one another. This is because if they touch one another, they will form lumps while freezing.
- Now, let your apricots flash freeze in the freezer for a couple of hours or until they turn solid. This will be beneficial while freezing as the solidified apricots will keep safe inside freezer bags or containers.
- Transfer the solidified apricots into freezer bags or airtight containers and seal them tightly. Do it as soon as you take out the apricots from the freezer. Do not let them sit at room temperature; otherwise, they will turn soft.
- Once all of these are done, the last and most important step is to label and date the freezer bags. This will let you know how long the apricots have been in the freezer. Stack the bags in the freezer away from the edges. And your apricots are ready to freeze.
Tips For Freezing Apricots
Apricots can last in the freezer safely for up to 4 months. But before they are completely frozen, here are some tips for you that will help you achieve better results when apricots freeze. Check them out here.
- Keep out as much air as possible from the bags. This can do wonders in preserving your apricots for longer.
- Freeze fresh apricots. An overripe or rotten apricot will not react to freezing well. This can also lead to spoilage.
- While you can freeze apricots whole, they freeze better cut into halves or slices. This will also allow for easy usage of frozen apricots.
Can You Freeze The Puree Of Apricots?
Yes, you can freeze apricot puree. It freezes quite well and can be stored for up to 12 months in the freezer. The freezing technique is also simple. All you have to do is freeze the puree into cubes first. And then transfer them into airtight bags for freezing.
You can also pour the apricot puree directly into freezer bags and freeze it. It all depends on how you intend to use it later. Freezing is a great way to keep your apricot puree for longer. It also means you have a year-round supply of apricot puree at your home.
Can You Freeze The Jam Of Apricots?
Yes, you can freeze apricot jams. However, if the jam is properly cooked, you need not freeze it as it keeps in the refrigerator for a long time. Just make sure you keep the apricot jam chilled in the refrigerator.
When you are freezing apricot jam, transfer it into airtight bags and remove all the air to keep it from contamination. Seal the bags tightly and you can freeze your apricot jam for up to 6 months. Also, if you are defrosting apricot jam, you can store it in the refrigerator for about 4 weeks.
Can You Freeze Dry Apricots?
Yes, you can freeze dry apricots. They can be stored in the freezer for more than 12 months. Freezing dry apricots is easy and you can skip the washing step here because dried apricots already undergo a process of removing all the moisture. And because of the lack of moisture content, they freeze well.
You can also keep dried apricots in the refrigerator for a long time without affecting their texture and flavor. However, freezing them is a good idea. It also means you have a supply of dried apricots in your freezer whenever you need them.
Can You Refreeze Apricots?
While it is technically possible to refreeze apricots, it is advised against doing so. This is because apricots have a water content, which does not react well to refreezing and therefore will cause texture alterations when frozen for the second time. It will end up being mushy.
You would not want your apricots to go mushy, right? Therefore, it is suggested that you defrost only the required amounts of frozen apricots so that you can avoid wastage. Also, you can keep defrosted apricots in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before consuming them.
How Can You Defrost Frozen Apricots?
Defrosting apricots is simple as long as you freeze them initially on a tray before actually freezing them. Check out the steps below to know hoe to defrost frozen apricots.
- Take out the frozen apricots from the freezer and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight or until they turn soft.
- You can also defrost your apricots by running them under cold water. But it is better if you let them defrost in the refrigerator.
- While defrosting, take special care, otherwise, you might end up ruining your apricots. Therefore, follow proper defrosting techniques for the best results.
Summing it up, that was all about freezing apricots. You can store them in the freezer for about 6 months. Just remember to apply proper freezing techniques for the best results. So, the next time buy some extra apricots on your visit to the market and freeze them for later use.