Modern equipment allows not only to quickly freeze a variety of products, but also to keep them for a long time without losing taste and healthy qualities. When the body is in dire need of vitamins (in winter and spring time), such preparations come in handy. Frozen cranberries retains almost all of its beneficial properties and vitamins that are lost in the process of boiling. Therefore, for those who want to have on hand this storehouse of vitamins, our story will be interesting and useful.
Are nutrients preserved when frozen?
If you managed to collect a large amount of this most valuable product, you should not hurry with its processing according to the standard scheme (cook compote, jam, juice, etc.). There is a unique method, how to keep fresh cranberries, and at the same time to preserve its properties - competent freezing. The best berries for freezing are those that are harvested 2-3 hours before harvesting. They as much as possible keep the flavoring and useful qualities. Cranberry (or northern lemon) contains a lot of nutrients:
- acids: quinic, ursolic, ascorbic, citric, benzoic, malic;
- pectins and glycosides;
- glucose;
- vitamins PP, K, group B.
Important! The only rule that must be followed when harvesting fruit to preserve vitamins - they can not be boiled.
Preparation of berries before freezing
Before freezing the fruits are sorted:
- separated from the leaves;
- throw out rotten and tainted copies;
- select the whole, not crushed units (crushed fruits can be put on the juice);
- immature discarded altogether.
Important! Cranberries contain a natural preservative. - benzoic acid, which slows the growth of bacteria.
After the most beautiful and high-quality copies are selected, they are washed and dried. Dry well on paper or cloth towels.
Ways of freezing: step-by-step instruction
To enjoy fresh berries in the winter, it is not necessary to purchase separate equipment. The task of high-quality and fast freezing works well with most modern refrigerators.
Did you know? In Russia, the cranberries, which were harvested before frost, filled with clean water, were stored in wooden tubs in cellars. In this way, the berry was able to keep fresh until spring.
Simple
There are several techniques for freezing cranberries at home, but the easiest and most productive is mass freezing. For this, high-quality (ripe, hard) fruits (pre-prepared) are laid out in bags and sent to the freezer.
Also for the winter you can freeze: apricot, cherry, currant, apples, cranberries, strawberries, hawthorn and blueberries.
You can use an alternative method of freezing fresh fruit: berries are laid in bulk on a tray or platter and sent for 2-3 hours in the freezer. After that, the cranberries are taken out and packaged in sachets or containers, which are then put back into the freezer. This method is more productive, because the berries can make juice and stick together, that is, lose their "marketable" appearance.
With sugar
Those who know how to freeze cranberries for the winter with sugar, always use this method. This method differs from freezing fresh berries in that the fruits are first rolled in sugar or poured with sugar syrup. This type of preparation allows not only to preserve the natural shape of the fruit, but also to emphasize their taste.
Important! "Sweet" freezing is suitable for juicy berries and pitted fruits.
How much can you store
As a rule, it is recommended to store frozen fruits for 8-10 months. But cranberries are a unique berry. If the freezing is carried out according to all the rules, then at a temperature of -18 ° C it can be stored from 1 year to 3. The billet should be stored away from products such as fish and meat. They are able to "reward" the product with its flavor.
At the same time, care should be taken to ensure the integrity of the packaging so that the fruits do not lose moisture. Re-freezing fresh berries is not recommended - they will not only lose their taste and presentation, but may also be harmful to their health. In case the thawed fruit was not used immediately, it is better to subject them to heat treatment and only then freeze it.
Did you know? Cranberries in Russia were called only as "king berry". And in the US, it is customary to serve it at Thanksgiving Day.
Do I need to defrost
Cooking some dishes (mainly with heat treatment) does not require prior defrosting of cranberries. But for many dishes, frozen berries are better prepared beforehand. And do it right. First of all, air must not be allowed to enter and juice may flow out.
The most affordable and quickest way to defrost is to place the product in an airtight container and lower it for 30-45 minutes in cold water. But the most optimal method is to transfer frozen fruits into the refrigerator. True, it will take much more time (about 7 hours), but it will retain more useful and taste qualities.
Did you know? If you need to defrost a refrigerator, frozen food can be protected from contact with heat by wrapping them in a blanket.
What can be done
Frozen cranberries will not only help boost immunity in the winter, but also diversify dishes if you know what you can cook out of it.
- Salads and cereals. Fruits can be simply added to sauerkraut or grated carrots. And they can also become an indispensable ingredient for vitamin salads (based on cabbage, chicken, turnip, banana, etc.).
- Sauces and dressings. Cranberries make gorgeous, taste-grabbing sauces for meat, fish and desserts.
- Morsy, compotes and jelly. Refreshing drinks are good not only in summer but also in winter. Moreover, in the cold season, they are a rich source of vitamins and vigor.
- Stuffing for pies, muffins and cottage cheese casseroles. Cranberry is the ideal option. In addition, such dishes are prepared quite quickly.
- Dessert. If flour products seem like hard food for you, then you can make a light dessert from frozen cranberries.
Excellent desserts can be made with fruits and berries like pear, apricot, currant, strawberry and yoshta.
After reading our article, you learned how to freeze a priceless cranberry, while maintaining its healthy qualities, taste and appearance. Using our advice, you will be able to delight your loved ones all winter with tasty and healthy dishes with this berry.
