In the winter season, it is simply necessary to replenish the body with vitamins and useful microelements. For this ideal unique berries - blueberries. It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, E, K, vitamins of group B, microelements potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus and others. But one of the main questions in the condition of the shortage of fresh berries in the winter is whether the frozen blueberries are useful and whether they retain their beneficial properties after freezing.
- Does frozen blueberries retain useful properties?
- Ways to freeze blueberries
- Sugar Freeze Blueberries
- Blueberry freeze with sugar
- Frozen puree with sugar
- Frozen puree without sugar
- Frozen Blueberry Juice
- Use frozen blueberries
Does frozen blueberries retain useful properties?
This berry is unique in that it retains virtually all its beneficial properties even after freezing. It has a positive effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, improves the performance of vision. One of the most important factors in the use of frozen blueberries in winter is that it enhances the body’s resistance during colds.
To preserve the beneficial characteristics of blueberries as much as possible, it is recommended to freeze the berries abruptly, at the maximum power of the freezing chamber.
But it is important not to forget that improper storage of blueberries during freezing can reduce the amount of vitamin C, so you need to know exactly how to freeze blueberries for the winter.
Ways to freeze blueberries
First you need to purchase ripe berries with no visible defects. Next, you need to separate them from the crushed and spoiled berries, debris, stems and leaves.
Do you need to wash blueberries before freezing or wash already prepared frozen berries, you decide. If the fruits retain their integrity and do not lose their shape and a lot of juice after washing, then it is possible to carry out the treatment with water before freezing.
It is necessary to wash blueberries in small portions in a sufficiently capacious container with water. Then gently lay the berries in a colander.
After that, it is imperative to thoroughly dry the blueberry berries, putting them on paper towels so that they do not freeze together during the cold treatment. Next, the fruit is ready to freeze. There are several ways to freeze blueberries.
Sugar Freeze Blueberries
In order to prepare frozen berries in bulk for the winter, it is necessary to lay out the prepared blueberries on a tray, large dish or baking sheet. It is important that the berries lay in one row. After that, they need to be placed in a quick freeze chamber for one hour. Further, frozen blueberries can be packaged in bags or containers, removed from the container all the air and sent for long storage in the freezer.
It is advisable to immediately pack up the right amount of blueberries so that, if necessary, the use does not create a risk of leakage of the container. This will extend the shelf life, taste and healthy qualities of the product.
Blueberry freeze with sugar
If you prefer sweet blueberries or are afraid that the berries will freeze each other, you can prepare frozen blueberries with sugar.
To do this, the berries prepared for freezing must be layered in a container in layers, sprinkled with sugar. The ratio of blueberries and sugar should be approximately two to one.
Such blanks are stored for a long time in the freezer and are perfect for preparing fruit drinks, compotes, jelly and jelly, as well as filling for pies or dumplings.
Frozen puree with sugar
If the berries are slightly grasped, but nevertheless have not lost their integrity, you can make frozen mashed potatoes with sugar out of them.
To do this, they still need to be prepared - clean the garbage, rinse and dry. Next, add sugar and using a blender to turn the mixture into a homogeneous mass.
If you want to get a sweet billet, the sugar required for mashed potatoes, is made in equal proportions with the berries. To get a more natural taste, you can halve the dose of sugar. The finished mass is spread on containers, close tightly and send to freeze.
Raw jam will love children. They can also fill pies and desserts.
Frozen puree without sugar
To make a blueberry smoothie without sugar, simply blend the blueberry mass, previously prepared for freezing, with a blender. After that, lay the workpiece in plastic containers, close tightly and send in the freezer.
The volume of containers should be small, so that the puree is enough for exactly one use.
Frozen Blueberry Juice
In addition to berries and mashed potatoes, blueberry fruits can be used to prepare useful vitamin juice for long-term storage. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the prepared blueberries in any way suitable for this.Then pour it into small glasses or bottles, without pouring to the brim, close tightly and send it to the freezing chamber. This juice is much healthier and tastier than store counterparts.
Use frozen blueberries
It is necessary to thaw blueberries gradually, removing the required number of berries from the freezer and placing them in the main chamber of the refrigerator. When the ice comes off the fruit, remove it from the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature until it is completely defrosted.
There are many ways you can use frozen blueberries.
It is an indispensable dietary supplement to hundreds of dishes for those who are overweight. Indeed, due to the low calorie content and the presence of tannins, it contributes to weight loss. Blueberries are added to the preparation of yogurt, cocktails, fruit salads, muesli.
Blueberries, frozen with whole berries, are used in many recipes to decorate dishes. Mistresses add berries to pancakes, pies, cakes, casseroles, dumplings, muffins, jelly and ice cream. Also very tasty and useful drinks from black fruits - compotes, fruit drinks, jelly.
Blueberries have indisputable positive properties, tasty, healthy and unpretentious in the freeze. Anyone will find a way to apply this wonderful berry to your taste.