Share
One loses out on a lot of seasonal produce because it isn't available during the winter. While some fruits are available all-year-round due to preservation, their freshness and nutritional value cannot be guaranteed.
However you can continue enjoying these fruits for several months by preserving the produce. There are some easy ways to do thisThe kind of fruit you want to preserve and how long you want to preserve it for will determine your approach.
1. Freezing
One simplest and most practical methods for preserving fresh fruits is freezing them. Seasonal fruit can be frozen by washing and drying and then placed in an airtight freezer bag. Freeze fruits in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag for freely flowing fruit.
2. Drying
Dried apple rings made in an oven or dehydrator are a great way to use up an abundance of apples. One of the earliest methods of food preservation is drying. Combining warm temperatures and air movement eliminates 80–95% moisture. Food becomes shelf-stable, lightweight, and compact as a result. Use a dehydrator or low-temperature oven to dry fruit or manufacture your own fruit leather. When finished, they make great grab-and-go snacks.
3. Canning
Regarding storing food on your pantry shelf, canning is an excellent choice. Though it's far simpler than most people realise, it does require a little extra time and equipment. Food is preserved by canning using high heat to destroy bacteria and sealing jars to keep new bacteria from growing back. Hot water baths and pressure canning are the two safe home canning techniques; the table below outlines the particular applications for each.
4. Making Jams
Making jam is a tasty and simple approach to keep summer fruit's taste. It's possible to produce freezer jam without cooking or adding sugar in less than 30 minutes. Making small batches of interesting jams and jellies is enjoyable and simple, with many possibilities available. Make sure you choose to use the precise kind of pectin or thickening specified in the recipe, whichever you choose. Use a hot water bath procedure to preserve the safety of the jars while making shelf-stable jams.
5. Pickling
Fruits marinated in a sweet vinegar-based brine and kept in the refrigerator are called refrigerator or fast pickles. They are referred to as "quick" since they can be made in less than fifteen minutes, and don't need to be processed further, due to their deliciousness. Various herbs and spices can be added to create distinctive flavour profiles of your favourite seasonal fruits when pickling.
