Peaches are great in homemade smoothies and yogurt. Peaches can be used in a variety of ways. So, if you spot a great deal on peaches and decide to buy a complete peck, you might be disappointed to find that you and your family just cannot eat that many peaches before they go bad.
Can you freeze peaches? The answer is yes. When properly stored and frozen, peaches have a shelf life of roughly 8–10 months. Preserving the peaches’ original flavor, color, and texture when freezing is essential. If the alternative to preservation by freezing is spoiling, then doing so is highly recommended.
It is questionable whether or not peaches are worthwhile to buy when they are not in season. Consequently, freezing them while they are still in season and fresh is sometimes the best option. When frozen properly, peaches can be utilized in a wide range of meals.
What You Need to Know to Freeze Peaches in 4 Steps
Freezing peaches is simple, but it needs to be done well. Apples and peaches are alike in that they turn brown when exposed to air. Coating the peaches with lemon juice will stop this from happening. Now, let’s go down on how to how to freeze peaches.
Step 1: Preparation
The secret to successful fruit freezing is selecting fruits that are in peak condition. No matter if you’re buying them at the grocery store or picking them fresh from the tree in your backyard, peaches are delicious. Select only flawless stuff. Scrub them well under running water to remove any traces of dirt and grime. To dry them, pat them with a dry towel.
Step 2: Slicing And Removing The Pit
Using a paring knife, carefully slice all the way through the peach to reach the pit. Take out the pit or use a spoon to remove it. After that, slice each half into whichever size pieces you choose. To keep the slices from becoming brown, don’t forget to brush them with some lemon juice.
Step 3: Flash-Freezing
When frozen, fruits have a tendency to clump together. Therefore, instant freezing is required. Arrange the peach slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, leaving some room between each one. Freeze the tray for at least eight hours, preferably overnight.
Step 4: Storage
Take the peach slices out of the freezer now that they are partially frozen. Now you may put them away in Ziplock bags or other airtight freezer containers for storage. Fill the bags with frozen peaches, pressing out as much air as possible, and then seal them.
Clearly mark the contents and freezing date on the bags. To know how long the peaches have been in the freezer, you could use this method.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Peaches in Syrup
Peaches are sweetened and enhanced in flavor when frozen in syrup. if you prefer your peaches unsweetened and in their natural state. Then, as previously indicated, you can freeze them normally.
Step 1: Preparation
Scrub the peaches well after washing them. Get rid of any remaining dirt and grime by rinsing them in a colander under a running tap. Peeking is the most time-consuming step while freezing peaches. But don’t panic; the following step will make this a breeze.
Step 2: Blanching And Peeling The Peaches
When vegetables and fruits are blanched, the ripening process is stopped and spoilage is avoided. Also, it can make the peach skin easier to peel off. Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat, then carefully drop in the peaches and let them boil for 20 to 45 seconds.
The peaches should be removed from the heated water and placed in the ice-cold water using a slotted spoon. Before attempting to remove the skins off the peaches, wait until they have cooled to the touch. It would be a simple matter for them to slide off.
Step 3: Cutting And Removing The Pits
Cut the peaches in half from the edges all the way down to the center with a paring knife, then remove and discard the pits before cutting the peaches into the appropriate sizes. Don’t forget to add a bit of lemon juice to the sliced peaches so they don’t turn brown in the air.
Step 4: Coating The Peaches In Syrup And Storage
For your syrup, you’ll need three cups of water and one cup of sugar. Once you’ve made your syrup, you should wait for it to cool down before proceeding. Prepare plastic containers suitable for the freezer by adding the peach slices and then pouring in enough syrup to cover the fruit. Remember to leave some room at the top of the containers, as frozen water expands.
Label the containers clearly before placing them in the freezer.
How To Defrost Frozen Peaches?
Frozen peaches can still be used in recipes. They work great in smoothies, but you can also make pies and ice cream with them. They are delicious on top of pancakes or waffles. Frozen peaches are an excellent taste enhancer for drinks.
On the other hand, if you need to thaw frozen peaches, you should do it by placing them in the refrigerator overnight.
How Can You Tell If Frozen Peaches Have Gone Spoiled?
Peaches that have gone bad after being frozen will start to ooze and may have an unusual odor or look. Mold or decay are symptoms that your peaches have gone bad, so you should toss them out if they have also gotten really mushy.
What to Do with Overripe Frozen Peaches?
Overripe Frozen peaches can still be used for other purposes besides being tossed. The first thing to do is make sure the peaches haven’t gone bad. Frozen, overripe peaches can be used in a variety of sweets. Cobblers, peach ice cream, and small spiced rum peach pies are just a few recipes that might benefit from the addition of frozen peaches.
