Is it possible to freeze a 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 odor and color.

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

Is it possible to freeze a watermelon

The myth that exposure to low temperatures destroys vitamins is no longer relevant.... According to recent studies, only a fraction of the vitamin C is lost, but the percentage of loss can be significantly reduced by using shock freezing. This method allows you to save up to 85% of nutrients.

Points for and against"

Freezing preserves natural taste, color and odor... 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, which are thoroughly washed, therefore frozen food can be considered as good quality as fresh... And fruits and berries of the winter period are often brought to retail outlets still immature or already damaged, rotten, at storage bases they are treated with chemicals that allow the product not to spoil for months. There is more harm than good from such fruits.

Cons - changing the structure of the product... Even a properly stored and carefully defrosted watermelon will not crunch like a fresh one. For many, it is difficult to comply with storage rules, since a thawed product often loses its natural smell and color.

How the composition and taste changes

Properly frozen berries bring the maximum benefit and pleasure. Subject to storage standards, they retain up to 90% of vitamins, and trace elements 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 scent remains just as fresh and the color changes to a more intense one.

How to choose a fruit to freeze

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

When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to such signs.:

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

When a well-ripe fruit is cut, the crust separates under the knife with a characteristic crackling, bursting with the slightest effort. The best berries are those bought at the height of the watermelon season. - from mid-August to late September.

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Freezing methods

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

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

Wholly

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

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

In pieces

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

Interesting figures are made from the pulp with cookie cutters or cut into cubes with a knife. Using a special ice cream spoon, you can get balls. Pieces are placed on a baking sheet, previously covered with foil or parchment, then placed in the freezer.

With sugar

The pulp of the watermelon 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 need one part of sugar. The filled containers are closed and sent to the freezer compartment.

In syrup

To prepare such a blank, you can use a syrup boiled in water or watermelon juice... The liquid is brought to a boil, sugar is poured into it and boiled 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 from the inside with cling film, so that later it is easier to remove the product. Pieces of pulp are laid without seeds, making sure that the top layer can be completely covered with syrup. Close tightly with lids and place in a freezer.

Read also:

We save the watermelon until the New Year at home

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

In fruit juice

The previous recipe for freezing can be made more original by replacing the sugar syrup with any fruit juice... Pieces of watermelon pulp, peeled from seeds, are placed in a container. The pre-chilled juice is poured over the workpiece, trying to keep the pulp immersed in the liquid. The filled and closed containers are sent to the freezer.

Puree

Pieces of berries without a 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 molds, 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 settle 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 cube 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 put as much product in one bag as can be used at one time.

Attention! Containers should be tightly closed to avoid airing or other odors. Do not store watermelons together with foods that have a strong flavor.

Pulp blanks are stored for no more than 6-10 months, and juice cubes or slices frozen with sugar can be used within a year... The watermelon should be kept in the freezer, where the mode is maintained not higher than –18 ° С. The main condition is to prevent accidental thawing of the product, since repeated freezing will greatly reduce its quality.

How to defrost

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

Attention! Thawed food must be used immediately. Thawed pulp or juice is stored in the refrigerator for no more than four days, then 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 pieces of watermelon - ideal raw material for making mint sherbet... A little sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, white rum (optional) are added to a refreshing dessert.

Watermelon pulp is often used in such dishes:

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

The milkshake turns out to be extraordinary if, before whipping, add not only sugar and vanillin to a glass of milk, but also a few cubes of frozen puree. Blanks from watermelon juice help out when it is necessary to prepare soft drinks with an unusual taste, and ice pops can be made 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 foods. The fresh aroma of watermelon is liked by households who are used to enjoying it only in autumn.

Elena, Vologda: “I have always canned watermelon, but I only knew how to salt and pickle it. I recently heard that the pulp can be frozen, and I will definitely try to make preparations and make some 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 diversify the diet with a healthy product. Vitamin drinks and bright delicious desserts will pleasantly surprise guests and delight you and your loved ones. Even the smallest family members will appreciate the sweet piece of summer in the cold season.