Is it possible to freeze watermelon and how to do it in different ways

Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve fresh vegetables, fruits and berries. This method guarantees a beautiful appearance of the product, preservation of smell and color.

Not everyone knows that watermelon can also be frozen, but this option has many advantages. The berry, preserved without adding sugar, salt or vinegar, will be a useful ingredient in the winter when making lemonades, juices and fruit desserts.

Is it possible to freeze watermelon

The myth that exposure to low temperatures destroys vitamins is no longer relevant. According to recent studies, only a portion of vitamin C is lost, but the percentage of loss can be significantly reduced if shock (quick) freezing is used. This method allows you to preserve up to 85% of nutrients.

Points for and against"

Canning by freezing allows you to preserve the natural taste, color and smell. In sugar syrup, during the preparation of jam, these qualities change greatly, as well as in juices with preservatives intended for long-term storage.

Ripe and sweet berries are selected for freezing and washed thoroughly, so frozen product can be considered no less quality than fresh. And winter fruits and berries are often brought to retail outlets still unripe or already damaged, rotten; at storage facilities they are treated with chemicals that allow the product not to spoil for months. Such fruits do more harm than good.

Disadvantages: change in product structure. Even a properly preserved and carefully thawed watermelon will not have the elastic crunch of a fresh one. For many, the difficulty is following storage rules, since a thawed product often loses its natural smell and color.

How the composition and taste changes

Properly frozen berries bring maximum benefit and pleasure. If storage standards are observed, they retain up to 90% of vitamins, and microelements are not destroyed at all.

The taste of frozen watermelon pulp does not change: the sweeter the berry was chosen, the tastier the preparation turns out. The aroma remains just as fresh, but the color changes to a more saturated one.

How to choose fruit for freezing

Only ripe fruits are suitable for storage. The size should be no less than medium, but the main condition is sugary pulp, not watery, sweet in taste, with a pronounced aroma.

When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to the following signs::

• no damage to the surface of the watermelon;
• smooth, round shape;
• intense color without pale or dark spots;
• dry and clean tail of the fruit, without signs of rot;
• yellow spot with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm on one side;
• When you try to squeeze it with your hands, the watermelon springs slightly.

When a well-ripened fruit is cut, the crust separates under the knife with a characteristic crack, bursting at the slightest effort. The best berries are those purchased at the height of the watermelon season. – from mid-August to the end of September.

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Freezing methods

Depending on the method of further use for the workpiece, choose the option that is most suitable for the technology. The pieces are good as cooling slices of ice, those with a sweet tooth will love the recipe with added sugar, and methods of freezing watermelon in the form of juice or puree are suitable for making drinks and desserts.

The prepared product for primary freezing is placed in the freezer for 12 or more hours (up to 24) at a temperature not exceeding –25°C.

Entirely

Whole watermelons are rarely frozen - the method is good for industrial scalewhen large berries are stored in basements or pantries with suitable temperature conditions. Households usually do not have the necessary freezer space to accommodate large watermelons.

Attention! The fruits are first thoroughly washed with a soft brush, using a small amount of laundry soap if necessary. Only when the peels are completely dry are they placed in the freezer.

Pieces

After thorough washing, wipe the fruit dry with paper towels. Wash your hands with hot water and soap before cutting. To get beautiful identical slices, the watermelon is first divided into four equal parts.. Then each piece is laid flat on a board and cut into slices no more than 2-3 cm thick each. Select seeds. The crust can be cut off from the pieces, or you can leave it.

The pulp is used to make interesting shapes using cookie cutters or cut into cubes with a knife. Using a special ice cream scoop you can get balls. The pieces are placed on a baking sheet, previously covered with foil or culinary parchment, then placed in the freezer.

With sugar

The watermelon pulp is cut into small pieces, removing the peel and seeds. Prepare containers with tight-fitting lids. The slices are laid in layers, evenly sprinkling each with granulated sugar.. For 5 parts of watermelon pulp you will need one part of sugar. The filled containers are closed and sent to the freezer compartment.

In syrup

To prepare such a preparation, you can use syrup boiled in water or watermelon juice.. Bring the liquid to a boil, add sugar and cook for at least two minutes until completely dissolved. Proportions: one part sugar, two parts water or juice. The syrup is cooled and left in the refrigerator for several hours.

The containers for the preparation are lined with cling film on the inside to make it easier to remove the product later. Place pieces of pulp without seeds, making sure that the top layer can be completely covered with syrup. Cover tightly with lids and place in a freezer.

Read also:

Preserving watermelon until the New Year at home

How to dry watermelon in an electric dryer and store the finished product

In fruit juice

The previous freezing recipe can be made more original by replacing the sugar syrup with any fruit juice. Pieces of watermelon pulp, cleared of seeds, are placed in a container. The pre-cooled juice is poured into the workpiece, trying to keep the pulp submerged in the liquid. Filled and closed containers are sent to the freezer.

As a puree

Pieces of berries without crust and seeds are turned into a homogeneous mass using a blender. You can add sugar to taste if the fruit is not sweet enough. The resulting puree is placed in small plastic cups or ice trays and frozen.

In the form of juice

Watermelon juice is obtained by squeezing the pulp puree through a piece of gauze folded in several layers., or using a juicer. The most homogeneous liquid is obtained if the workpiece is allowed to sit in the refrigerator for several hours, then carefully pour into another container, leaving the settled pulp at the bottom. The liquid is frozen in small ice trays.

Terms and conditions of storage

Watermelon, prepared in pieces, cubes or figures in molds, after complete freezing, is removed from containers or collected from baking sheets and poured into plastic bags. It is advisable to place as much product in one package as can be used at a time.

Attention! The container must be tightly closed to avoid airing or penetration of other odors. Watermelons should not be stored together with foods that have a strong aroma.

Pulp preparations are stored for no more than 6-10 months, and juice cubes or pieces frozen with sugar can be used within a year. The watermelon should be kept in the freezer, where the temperature is maintained no higher than –18°C. The main condition is to prevent accidental thawing of the product, since repeated freezing will greatly reduce its quality.

How to defrost

Defrost the berries slowly, without using the microwave defrost mode, hot water or steam., since these factors will change the structure of the pulp not for the better. Measure out the required amount, put it in a container and place it on the top shelf of the refrigerator. Start defrosting in the evening, leaving the watermelon in the refrigerator overnight.

Attention! Thawed product must be used immediately. Thawed pulp or juice is stored in the refrigerator for no more than four days, after which the product becomes unusable.If there is an unpleasant odor and the consistency resembles mucus, the workpiece is immediately thrown away.

Where and how to apply

Frozen watermelon pieces - ideal raw material for making mint sherbet. A little sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, and white rum (optional) are added to the refreshing dessert.

Watermelon pulp is often used in such dishes:

• fruit jelly;
• diet smoothie;
• fruit popsicle;
• ice cream shake.

The milkshake turns out extraordinary if, before whipping, add not only sugar and vanillin to a glass of milk, but also a few cubes of frozen puree. Watermelon juice preparations come in handy when you need to prepare soft drinks with an unusual taste, and you can make fruit ice from frozen pulp mixed with powdered sugar and lemon zest.

Reviews

Having tried new ingredients, many housewives are happy to include them in their list of favorite products. The fresh aroma of watermelon is liked by households who are accustomed to enjoying it only in the fall.

Elena, Vologda: “I always preserved watermelon, but I only knew how to salt and pickle it. I recently heard that the pulp can be frozen, I’ll definitely try to make some and prepare some kind of dessert later.”.

Raisa, Saratov: “I freeze watermelon juice every season. I use cubes not only for drinks, as cooling aromatic additives, but also as a cosmetic product for the skin. I wipe my face or hands with ice pieces - I maintain skin tone, moisturize and refresh in the heat.".

Conclusion

Frozen pieces of watermelon are an original preparation for the winter, which will allow you to diversify your diet with a healthy product. Vitamin drinks and bright, delicious desserts will pleasantly surprise your guests and delight you and your loved ones.Even the smallest members of the family will appreciate a sweet piece of summer during the cold season.