Quick freezing apples for the winter
For those who want to receive full-fledged vitamins even in the most severe frosts and feel the taste of summer, you should know how to freeze apples for the winter. This is not a difficult procedure that even a child can handle. In this article, we will share the secret of keeping fresh apples in the freezer, and tell you exactly how to preserve the appearance of the fruit and all the beneficial properties.
Apple varieties most suitable for freezing
Benefits of frozen apples:
- More vitamins. In frozen fruits, the same amount of useful qualities remains as in fresh ones, because low temperatures are not destructive for them. Therefore, this harvesting method is gaining more and more popularity among housewives.
- Security. A homemade product is much more credible than a store-bought product. Fresh apples from the supermarket shelf may look tempting, but they can contain hazardous chemicals. Often, fruits are treated with similar means so that they are stored longer.
- Convenience. Frozen apples and berries are kept in the freezer and used as needed. Therefore, you can be sure that the product will retain all useful properties and will not deteriorate even within a year.
For freezing apples in the refrigerator, only clean and fresh fruits are suitable, on the surface of which there are no defects or rot.
If you like to add apples to desserts, then for these purposes it is better to use the fruits of the "Fuji" and "Gala" varieties. Compared to other species, they retain their sweetness even when frozen.
Freezing apples for the winter: 6 easiest ways
You can even freeze apples in different ways. Each method has its own charms.
Fast (shock) freezing
Apples need to be washed, dried and chopped. Then put on foil in one layer and send to the freezer, setting the minimum temperature. After two hours, you should take out the slices and pack them in airtight bags. Then send back to the freezer and keep at a temperature of -100 C. Apples frozen in this way are stored for about a year.
You can also freeze whole apples.
Frozen apples in citric acid
This is one of the well-known methods used all over the world. And this is not surprising, because fruits perfectly retain their properties for many months.
Procedure:
- Wash the apples and cut into small pieces.
- For 15 minutes, immerse the slices in a solution of water with citric acid (2 liters of water and 2 tsp. Citric acid).
- After 15 minutes, you need to carefully remove the apples and dry them on a paper towel.
- Next, we put the fruits in sealed bags or containers, release the air and send them to the freezer.
Such apples are stored from six months to 9 months.
Apples in syrup
This method is used for sour apples. Sugar must be used to make the fruit tender and tasty.
Sequencing:
- 1.5 kg of apples should be washed and chopped.
- We make the syrup. In 3 l. water you need to dissolve 2 tbsp. sugar and boil for 10-15 minutes.
- Dip the apples into the finished syrup and keep for about 5 minutes.
- With the help of a sieve, we take out the apples and wait until all the liquid has drained.
- Next, we place the fruits in bags or containers and send them to the freezer.
It is recommended to store apples in syrup for 12 months.
Frozen apples in sugar with lemon
This preparation is perfect for tea. Also apples can be used for making sweet desserts.
You need to prepare:
- 1-1.5 kg of apples;
- 2 lemons;
- 250 g of sugar.
Wash the lemons under running water. Then cut off the zest, and divide the pulp in half and squeeze out the juice. Put both ingredients in a deep bowl. Put the sliced apples into this mass and mix well. We lay out the slices in containers or bags and send them to the freezer.
Such a blank is stored for no more than a year.
Frozen applesauce
To do this, you need to wash and peel the fruits. Then chop and send them to an aluminum or enamel pot. Simmer the slices until the mass becomes thick. You should have mashed potatoes, which will need to be transferred to a container and placed in the freezer.
Whole apples
Small fruits can be frozen whole. To do this, select ripe apples, wash them and dry them. Each fruit must be wrapped in plastic wrap, and only then placed in the freezer.
Whole apples are stored in the freezer for about 9 months.
Cooking from defrosted apples
Many people don't know what can be made from frozen apples. In fact, this is a unique product that is suitable for the preparation of various dishes. They are suitable for compotesmaking cupcakes, cakes, jelly, apple strudel, charlottes, casseroles, as a filling for pancakes.
Sour apples can be used as an additive to meat dishes, as well as in various gravies and sauces. Frozen apples can also be pureed for your baby.
Charlotte is a popular frozen apple dish
First, remove the apples from the freezer and leave them at room temperature for a while. The water that has appeared will need to be drained.
To prepare the dough you will need:
- a glass of flour;
- a glass of sugar;
- 5 eggs;
- vanillin;
- baking powder.
If you have frozen apple slices, after defrosting, simply add them to the dough. Whole fruit must be peeled and cut into small pieces.
After mixing the dough with apples, pour it into a mold and send it to a preheated oven. You need to bake for about 30 minutes.
Apple mousse
For cooking, you need to take three small apples, sugar, water, a bag of vanilla sugar, 1 tbsp. l. decoys.
The first thing to do is defrost the apples. Then you need to remove the peel and seeds from them. Put prepared apples into blender and beat until smooth. Add water in the amount of 2/3 of the mass of apples, vanilla, cereals, baking powder and sugar to the puree. Mix and cook everything, like ordinary semolina.
Freezing is a great way to keep fruit intact. If there are too many apples in the garden that you cannot process, then the best solution would be to send them to the freezer.