How to Freeze Fresh Berries

by Diane Lofshult

Food for Thought:

Store shelves are bursting with the weight of the summer’s crop of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Enjoy them now, but know that you can also freeze berries to eat year round. In some recipes, you can even use frozen berries without bothering to thaw them; for example, toss a bunch right into cake or cupcake batters.

To freeze berries, first trim away any leaves or stems, and gently rinse the berries in cool water until clean (see “Conserving Water in the Kitchen” for a tip on saving water). Spread the clean berries on a cloth dishtowel, allowing them to air-dry completely. Distribute the berries evenly on a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. Place them in the freezer for 1 hour or until slightly frozen. Remove from the freezer, and transfer the berries to a plastic zip-top bag.

Berries can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.