Freezing Blackberries

Fresh blackberries are only available once a year during harvest, but you can enjoy them all year by freezing them. Later, you can pop them right out of the freezer for use in pie or pastry filling or as an addition to your fruit smoothies.

Things You'll Need

• Ripe blackberries
• Cookie sheet or plastic freezer tray
• Resealable plastic bag

Instructions

1. Examine each blackberry by hand, separating any berries that are mushy or wet from the plump, firm, dry ones. Overripe berries should be eaten right away. Ripe, firm, dry berries with shiny skin are perfect for freezing.

2. Put the blackberries for freezing in a colander. Wash berries under cold water. Air dry berries or pat dry with paper towel.

3. Put berries on a cookie sheet or tray and put them in the freezer. Freeze overnight. In the morning, remove berries from tray and put in a freezer bag. By freezing berries this way, they won't stick together when you put them in the freezer bag. Use berries within 10 months.

4. Make a preparation pack for blackberry syrup and freeze it for future use. First, mix 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of cold water. Set aside. Pack ripe, firm berries into a freezable container. Pour sugar water over berries until they are covered. Seal bag and freeze. When you decide to use it, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw. Use it for your syrup recipe.

5. Make a preparation pack for blackberry pie filling. Mix 1 qt. of firm blackberries with and 3/4 cup of sugar in a container. Use a fork to bruise and open fruit slightly. Put cover on and keep turning the container until all the sugar is dissolved. Put in freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Add frozen blackberries to smoothies, put on top of oatmeal or cereal or as a topping on ice cream. They don't take long to thaw and taste delicious ice cold.

• When selecting blackberries, make sure the bottom of the carton is dry and not stained with berry mush, and that the berries are dry to the touch.

Resources

• Blackberry Nutrition Facts