Freezing Watermelon: Unlocking the Secrets of Preserving Flavor
– Watermelon can be frozen and enjoyed year-round by making smoothies or gazpacho.
– Ripe and fresh watermelon should be frozen, as it’s not worth wasting freezer space on fruit that should be composted.
– Remove the rind and seeds before freezing, as the seeds become hard in the freezer.
– Cutting watermelon into chunks or using a melon baller will give evenly sized pieces, but randomly sized chunks work as well for smoothies or sorbets.
– Arrange the fruit in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid.
– Transfer the frozen watermelon to freezer bags for longer-term storage, labeling and dating the bags.
– Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months.
– Thaw watermelon in the refrigerator, partially or fully depending on how it will be used.
– Thawed watermelon has a pureed consistency and is not suitable for fruit salads.
– Partially thawed watermelon remains firm and is ideal for frozen blender drinks, desserts, and treats.
– Frozen watermelon can be used as fruity ice in drinks or blended with other fruits for smoothies or ice pops.
– Watermelon juice can also be frozen by blending chunks of seedless watermelon and placing in an airtight container.
– Freezing watermelon helps it last longer and enhances its cooling power.
– Watermelon has a high water content of around 92%.
– A whole watermelon can last up to a week at room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
– Once cut, watermelon slices or cubes only last up to 5 days.
– Frozen watermelon can last for 9 to 12 months in the freezer.
– Equipment needed for freezing watermelon includes a baking sheet with a rim and parchment paper (or wax paper, but not aluminum foil) to prevent sticking.
– The frozen watermelon juice can be flavored or consumed as it is.
– The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to freeze watermelon.
– if the watermelon has black seeds, they should be removed before freezing.
– The watermelon cubes should be arranged on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and frozen for a few hours until completely frozen.
– Once frozen, the watermelon cubes can be transferred to a freezer-friendly container.
– To defrost the frozen watermelon, it should be transferred to the fridge for one to a few hours.
– The article suggests washing the watermelon rind before cutting it to remove any pesticide residue or pathogens.
– It advises selecting a ripe watermelon that is firm, has a yellow field spot on the bottom, and is heavy.
– It suggests making watermelon puree by blending the chunks and freezing them in ice cube trays.
– The article also mentions that watermelon rind is edible and can be used in stir-fries or salads.
– Lastly, it suggests using frozen watermelon in recipes such as smoothies, slushies, watermelon jam, margaritas, or vodka cocktails.