Is it possible to freeze watermelon for the winter? Frozen pulp of watermelon: reviews

Fresh berries at any time of the year, especially in winter, are a real delicacy. To keep their freshness, taste and useful properties for longer than two weeks, you can only freeze them. There are various technologies that allow you to save any berries, vegetables and fruits.

Is it possible to freeze watermelon for the winter? It stands out against the background of other berries in that water is its main component. Fibers of pulp in the process of freezing are destroyed, so after complete thawing the watermelon really turns into water. This fact significantly complicates the process of freezing. But this can be done.

Regardless of the variety, the low-calorie product is rich in antioxidants (lycopene), minerals, vitamins even in the frozen state: up to eighty percent of the nutrients remain in the berries.

After thawing watermelon is used to create cocktails, juices, smoothies, desserts. It is better not to wait for the complete thawing of the product, and immediately put it in a dish. There is just it is not worth it - the frozen pulp of watermelon will be significantly different from fresh. Unfortunately, not everyone knows this.

Frozen watermelon: reviews

Is it possible to freeze watermelon? After all, not every berry easily succumbs to this process. That's why a frozen watermelon is almost never found in supermarkets. But the desire to enjoy the wonderful taste of the berry did not stop the enthusiasts. People who tried to freeze a watermelon, a lot. Their feedback can be divided into two groups: positive and negative.

Those who could enjoy a frozen watermelon hastened to brag about it on the Internet. They showed frozen berries berries and brought a lot of recipes. All of them say that in the frozen state watermelon retained its juiciness and taste. Unfortunately, rave reviews did not always contain important rules for freezing, so not everyone could repeat the successful experience.

The second group consists of negative reviews. Not knowing all the features of freezing, people just spoiled the watermelon. After thawing, it was very different from the original species. Watermelon resembled a jelly-like mass, which quickly melted and turned into either water or kissel. Seeds still spoiled the whole impression. The product was almost impossible to use for confectionery purposes: as water with a small characteristic flavor, watermelon practically did not find application. Unfortunately, the number of people who have left their negative reviews is more than the number of those who speak positively about the result. It is with this connected with the prevailing opinion that the watermelon should not be frozen. But this is not so. It's important to do everything right.

The process of freezing watermelon

In order to get a product, the taste of which you can enjoy in any season, you need to know how to freeze watermelon. The process is simple, but it is important to follow each of its stages. So, is it possible to freeze a watermelon? Yes. To do this, do the following:

• Watermelon is cut into the usual pieces.
• With a fresh product cut whole crust, including the entire dense part.
• All seeds are removed.
• The flesh is cut into small pieces (preferably in the form of cubes).
• The baking sheet is covered with foil or parchment paper.
• On it cubes are laid out so that they do not come in contact with each other. You do not need to cover the pieces.
• The sheet is placed in the freezer.
• Once the watermelon is completely frozen, it neatly decomposes into sachets or small containers.
• Packages and containers are sealed and put back into the freezer.

Secrets of freezing watermelon

How to freeze watermelon? At first glance it seems that the process is very simple, but there are also secrets.

1. It is important to do everything quickly, since the berry emits water, which can significantly complicate the cooking process.
2. If a container is chosen as the storage container, then it is not necessary to fill it completely with a berry. It is necessary to leave a free place. In the process of freezing the watermelon begins to expand.
3. The plastic bag must be airtight, before air is completely removed from the berry pieces. The tightness of the packaging is due to the fact that the watermelon, like any other liquid-rich product, absorbs odors well. In order to feel the characteristic aroma after thawing, and not the smell of another product, this feature does not need to be neglected.
4. Packing must be plastic only. Glass will not withstand sudden temperature changes.

Features of freezing watermelon for the winter

Is it possible to freeze watermelon for the winter, and what is its shelf life? The fruit in the frozen state can be stored no longer than twelve months. But the peculiarities of this particular berry consist in the fact that the longer the product is stored, the more taste qualities it loses. Watermelon will be much sweeter if it is eaten for a month after storage. For prolonged freezing it is better to choose varieties, where the pulp is loose and sweet. As a rule, such peculiarities are possessed by the Krasnodar berries.

In order that the storage time does not affect the taste characteristics of watermelon, the housewives resort to various tricks. The recipe often adds sugar or syrup. You can do this both before and after the freezing.

Freeze berry should be at minus temperature (from eighteen to twenty-three degrees). The berry is kept better if the temperature is not higher than eighteen degrees. After thawing, the fruit will be fit for four days. It is not possible to freeze it again.

Get a quality product easily, if the freezer is a function of quick freezing. It is for the structure of watermelon that this feature is very important. It is important to adhere to a certain technology, in order for you to have a delicious watermelon frozen in winter. Recipes will be presented to your attention below.

Recipe # 1

How to freeze watermelon? Everyone knows that sugar crystallizes well and helps to retain water. Due to this property, the watermelon remains as sweet as fresh water after defrosting. If five kilograms of pulp sprinkle with sugar (half a kilogram), you can get not only the desired taste, but also help to retain flavor and water. By the way, sugar on the surface of watermelon is not soluble.

If the watermelon is not very sweet, then the amount of sugar can be increased to four hundred grams per two kilograms of pulp.

Recipe # 2

In addition to sugar, syrup is required. Both ingredients are added to taste, but too many can spoil everything. The syrup is prepared separately. It can be a classic combination of water and sugar. Instead of water watermelon juice or orange juice will suit.

The process of freezing does not differ from the previous recipe. After a day, the watermelon is taken out of the freezer. Syrup poured already frozen berry berries and placed in a container. After two days it opens. It poured warm water, which washed off a little syrup. Each cube is wrapped in a film and placed in the freezer.

Recipe # 3

Instead of sugar and syrup, you must choose a sweet fruit or berry juice. The best fit pineapple, orange juice. Instead, you can choose ginger ale. Too sweet or sour juices should be avoided, as they will not be combined with the taste of watermelon.

Fruit cubes are cut in the usual way. They are placed in a container and completely filled with juice. Pieces should not go above the juice level. For these purposes, waxed paper is placed on their surface . After that, the container is closed and put in the freezer. But the resulting fruit ice is stored for no longer than six months.

Recipe for freezing watermelon juice

If you want to freeze a very juicy watermelon containing a large amount of water, then it will not be possible to do it in the usual way. The liquid will constantly flow out of the fruit, and the frozen pulp will resemble tasteless ice. In this case, it is better to freeze the watermelon juice. It is poured into ice-freezers and placed in the freezer. Then the cubes are transferred into a container.

To improve the taste in the juice of watermelon, grapefruit or orange juice is often added. Their flesh crystallizes well, which allows to retain water in the form of cubes.