How can you freeze honeysuckle for the winter in the form of juice, puree or whole berries?
Honeysuckle is considered a valuable source of vitamins and helps fight viruses and cardiovascular diseases. But it has a very short season, it blooms early and finishes ripening in June. Therefore, housewives prepare it in different ways. Let's talk about one of them - how to freeze honeysuckle for the winter.
Is it possible to freeze honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle is a short-term storage product. And in order to extend the period without losing its beneficial properties, it is frozen. There are no contraindications to storing honeysuckle in the freezer; it is even encouraged.
Advantages and disadvantages of such a workpiece
This method has positive aspects:
- vitamins and nutrients are preserved;
- shelf life - from 2 to 10 months;
- saving time and money - no need to go to the store.
As for the minuses, there is only one: You need a place to store berries at a consistently low temperature.
Selection and preparation of berries
The main criterion is that the berries must be ripe and not deformed.. Green and overripe ones should not be used. They are first washed under running warm water (you cannot pour boiling water over them, otherwise they will lose their valuable properties) and dried on paper towels.
Reference. After washing, it is necessary to get rid of excess moisture so that the berries do not lose their taste when defrosted.
How to properly freeze honeysuckle
It is important to pay attention to the choice of containers. It must be airtight and food and refrigerator safe.It is preferable to take small containers. The best option is thick plastic bags. Plastic cups and containers will also work.
Honeysuckle can be frozen in different consistencies.
Interesting things on the site:
How to keep honeysuckle fresh and processed
Instructions for transplanting honeysuckle to a new location
Whole berries
It is important to select berries with thick skin, without cracks. After drying, they should be placed in the freezer for 1-2 hours, spread out in a thin layer so that they do not stick together.. Then pack in small portions into a prepared dry container. It is better to use sealed bags - they will take up less space.
As a puree
For this method, you can also take overripe berries.. Honeysuckle must be ground in a blender into a homogeneous mass. Then pass everything through a sieve, getting rid of unground particles, then add sugar in a 1:1 ratio and pour into prepared containers (portioned containers, cups), covering with a lid or cling film.
Important! Do not fill the containers with the resulting puree to the brim. When exposed to cold, the liquid in the mixture will expand and need additional space.
In syrup
Previously cool boiled sugar syrup from 1 liter of water and 500 g of sugar to room temperature. Spread the honeysuckle in a thin layer into prepared containers. Pour the resulting sweet liquid over the berries 1 cm above. The mass can be frozen in the form of tiles.
Attention! The syrup and berries should be at the same temperature.
In sugar
Pack honeysuckle in plastic containers in a 2 cm layer, sprinkle the same layer of sugar on top. Fill the container, alternating layers, and close the lid tightly.
In the form of juice
Before squeezing, the berries should be scalded with boiling water.. This will help maximize juice production. Next, squeeze the honeysuckle in a juicer or manually through cheesecloth. Add sugar to the resulting mass (150-200 g of sand per 1 liter of liquid). The juice can be poured into ice bags.
With condensed milk
An easy way to prepare a delicious and healthy dessert. Arrange the berries in small portions in plastic containers and pour in condensed milk - 1 can of condensed milk for 1 kg of honeysuckle. Cover the resulting mass with a lid or film.
Take note:
How to freeze blackcurrants for the winter
Shelf life
The storage period depends on the method of freezing the product. If the berry is frozen without additional ingredients, it is 10 months. Adding sugar shortens the period to 6 months. It is better to consume the product with condensed milk within 2 months.
Important! In order not to exceed the shelf life of the product, a label with the date of freezing is affixed to the container.
How to defrost honeysuckle correctly
The quality of the product depends on proper defrosting. First, the honeysuckle must be moved from the freezer to the refrigerator. and keep it there for 5-7 hours, then let it come to room temperature. Gradual (gentle) defrosting preserves vitamins and beneficial properties in the berries.
Attention! Repeated freezing is prohibited; the berries will lose all value.
Conclusion
Freezing honeysuckle takes little time and effort - it does not need to be cleared of branches or seeds. By devoting a minimum of time to the process, you can provide your family with a valuable and tasty dessert for the whole winter.Proper preparation of berries for freezing, compliance with storage and thawing standards will increase the shelf life and preserve the taste and nutritional qualities of honeysuckle.