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The End is Nigh



No doomsday prediction this. But I start getting into a panic mode as the strawberry season draws to an end. Except for two weeks of overpriced blueberries, this is the only berry we get in India. And they go away before it's strawberry season elsewhere in world. In June, when bloggers in Europe and US put up their gorgeous strawberry creations, I have no color to top up my desserts.

Then two years back, other bloggers told me to try freezing strawberries. Which is what I am doing this weekend. Washing, hulling and prepping the red berries for their stay in the freezer. I freeze them two ways - sliced and pureed. I froze whole strawberries too last year, but they turn to a mush by the time they defrost so I ditched that version this year.

First off, I divided my strawberries into the perfect and not-so-perfect heaps. The not perfect heaps were washed thoroughly, then hulled and pureed in a blender. I put them in ice cube trays so I can take out as much puree as I need later.

The perfect ones go for the sliced version. Hull and thinly slice the strawberries. Then arrange them in a single layer in a large airtight container. Once this layer freezes, I cover them with parchment and add another layer. Right now, I have four layers in the freezer and this seems enough to top all cheesecakes and tarts I might want to bake in the next few months!
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Comments

Unknown said…
Hahah I can't help but laugh at this. I've frozen some whole strawberries too, you're saying I shouldn't do that?
March 13, 2011 at 4:37 PM
notyet100 said…
thnks for the freezing tip,.-)
March 14, 2011 at 11:38 AM
CurryLeaf said…
I am late in reading this.But will surely try this Simran.I too have nothing to top my desserts.
March 14, 2011 at 1:32 PM
Nithya said…
Thats a lovely tip :)
March 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM
Anonymous said…
Wow. This was just in time when I was planning on freezing whole strawberries. Great tips. Getting at it right now.
March 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Aparna Balasubramanian said…
I know what you mean. I just bought 2 boxes, its almost like I think they're going extinct! :)
I do freeze starwberries but never thought of slicing them and then frezing them. Thanks for that tip.
March 24, 2011 at 11:21 AM
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