Tuesday, September 10, 2013

How to Freeze Peaches

Today, let's talk about fruit.

You see, I love fruit. I eat it all the time, with almost every meal. And do you know who else loves fruit? Colorado. The entire state of Colorado loves fruit, and in particular, the peach.




Every August, Coloradans eagerly await, with reusable grocery bags and millions of dollars in hand, for the trucks to roll into town, loaded with the fuzzy-faced fruit of heavenly deliciousness. Once they hit the shelves, hoards of people race through the grocery stores to gaze upon their splendor. 

And we are not talking about any ordinary peach. Nope. We are talking about the PRIZED PEACHES OF THE WESTERN SLOPE OF COLORADO.

(I capitalize these things because of my respect for the peach madness.)

These peaches are only available for 3 to 4 weeks every year. During this time period, it is the only fruit people eat. And during the other 48-49 weeks during the year, it is the only fruit people talk about.




In an effort to prolong their shelf-life, my mom and I usually buy 20 pounds of peaches to freeze for
us to enjoy all winter. It's like we are pioneer women, except with actual freezers and cameras and Spanx.

Amen and Hallelujah.

So, if you have ever wanted to freeze your own peaches (or other fruit) this is how we roll:

First, grab your peaches, any amount you choose.





Now, grab your Fruit Fresh. This is a gem of a product that preserves the flavor and prevents browning of any fruit.





Fill a large bowl full of cold water and sprinkle in some Fruit Fresh. Then, start peeling...




And slicing...


 
And drop them into the cold water.
 
 

 

Once all the peaches have been peeled and sliced, drain the water from the bowl.




Now, add approximately 1/2 cup of sugar and a 1/4 cup of Fruit Fresh (for 20 lbs of peaches).




Stir them up.



And measure them into baggies.

We measure ours by our favorite recipes: deep dish peach cobbler, peach pie and then a few smaller baggies for times when you just want some cold peaches with breakfast.




These can last up to a year in your deep freeze.




And you'll have the AMAZING PEACHES OF HEAVENLY SPLENDOR to eat all year-round.




This really is so simple and you can do it almost every kind of fruit.

So go forth, fruit lovers, and freeze away! You'll feel like Laura Ingalls Wilder. Bonnets are totally optional.
 
 

6 comments:

  1. You're killing me Sarah! We normally get a hug box and freeze those that make it past our mouths into the bowl but this year they had a much smaller crop and we were unable to get a box. So now all I can do is stare at your pictures and drool.

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    1. Isn't it sooooo hard to freeze them instead of eating them? I seriously could have eaten that entire bowl! I am sorry for the small crop this year...you can come over for cobbler anytime. :)

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    2. You better watch out. I may take you up on that. :)

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  2. So thankful that I know where you live....so if you hear someone sneaking around the house...it's just me! :) just kidding of course but my mouth is totally watering right now!!!

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    1. Ha ha! That would be so funny, Sara! You are totally invited to come over when I bake this winter.:)

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