It’s strawberry season!
I don’t know a single soul who can resist fresh strawberries. To prolong the enjoyment, stash some in the freezer for a taste of early summer in an instant.
To find perfectly ripe berries with the best flavor, visit a local U-pick strawberry farm or look for a farmer’s market or produce stand vendor who offer locally grown berries. I loved driving home with my strawberries sitting just behind me on the floor of the car — the aroma was magical!
How to Freeze Strawberries
Rinse the strawberries in two changes of water to remove sand, insects, and any other debris. Strawberries grow very close to the ground and some may be quite dirty, so use as many changes of water as necessary.
Place rinsed strawberries in a colander to allow excess water to escape.
Remove stems with fingers or a knife. At the same time, remove any areas of the berry that are discolored, mushy, or insect bitten.
Slice strawberries into freezer boxes. Choose freezer boxes in a size that corresponds with how the frozen strawberries will be used in favorite recipes. I chose to recycle by using disposable plastic deli meat containers. (Caution: Using containers that are not specifically made for freezer storage may result in food with freezer burn.)
Top each box of berries with a good portion of sugar.
Place lids on freezer boxes, label boxes with contents, and store in the freezer.
I’ve found that transparent tape makes easy, removable labels. Cut an appropriate length; fold one short end under to make a tab; stick to freezer box; write box contents and date on tape with a pen, pencil, or marker. To remove the label, grip the tab and pull off. No damaged fingernails, no shredded tape, and an unmarked freezer box to use next time!
Ahem. My apologies to readers who may be color-sensitive. My kitchen is decidedly stuck in the 70′s with its original gold ceramic sink. Unfortunately, you’ve had the full 70′s color experience between my sink and my blog color scheme. I hope you still have an appetite for strawberries!
I love your tip about using transparent tape for labeling. Thanks for sharing!