{"id":42143,"date":"2023-07-11T20:57:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T20:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.halegroves.com\/blog\/?p=42143"},"modified":"2023-07-17T23:13:30","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T23:13:30","slug":"how-to-freeze-peaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.halegroves.com\/blog\/how-to-freeze-peaches\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Freeze Peaches"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why, oh why does peach season have to be so short?? We at Hale Groves have done our best to extend it as long as possible, partnering with high-quality specialty growers that produce snackable, Florida-grown, Farm-Fresh Peaches<\/a> starting in March, incomparably sweet and melting Georgia Peaches<\/a> starting in early summer, and lengthening the season into September with our bright, beautiful, and delectable Orchard Fresh Peaches<\/a>. As you can see, Hale Groves has a passion for fresh peaches!<\/p>\n

Alas, despite our best efforts, the season has to end sometime, and then we sadly have to say goodbye to peaches for another six months or so. Or do we? Preserves are one thing (and a delicious thing at that!), but is there an easy way to enjoy peach cobblers, peach pies, peach smoothies, and more during the non-growing season?<\/p>\n

Forget Canning\u2026Try Freezing Peaches!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When it comes to preserving peaches, tips usually point to canning first. But if the idea of turning your kitchen into a cannery is too intimidating for you, freezing is a much simpler way to prepare excess peaches for later use!<\/p>\n

Wondering how to freeze peaches? It\u2019s easier than you think! (And you\u2019ll be glad you tried it, since the taste of a canned peach can\u2019t beat the taste of a fresh peach that\u2019s been frozen).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how you do it in three easy steps:<\/p>\n

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  1. Peel your peaches<\/em>. Peach skins tend to toughen when cooked, so you\u2019ll want to peel any peaches you plan to use for baking. Removing the skins before freezing the fruit makes the flesh more versatile, too. Blanching your peaches is an easy way to remove the skins\u2026add water to a pot large enough to hold several peaches and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then carefully add your peaches to the water for about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches from the pot to a bowl of ice water. Once the peaches are cooled, make a slit in the skin of each peach and easily pull the skins away. (This is also a good time to remove the pits\u2026starting at the stem, run a paring knife vertically around the outside of the peach, twist the two sides apart and pull out the stone.)<\/li>\n
  2. Slice your peaches and toss with lemon juice<\/em>. You can freeze your peaches whole or in halves, but slicing them up before freezing makes them easier to use later. Some people like to use a preserving product to help frozen fruit maintain its color, but lemon juice works just as well and is a healthier alternative to sugar that allows the flavor the fruit to shine through.<\/li>\n
  3. Freeze!<\/em> Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread your peach slices out on it, ensuring they don\u2019t touch one another (this prevents the fruit slices from clumping or sticking together). Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least two hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag and return it to the freezer. That\u2019s it! (We recommend putting the date on the freezer bag.) For best flavor, use your frozen peach slices within three months.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to Use Your Frozen Peach Slices<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Using lemon juice instead of sugar or syrup means you can use your frozen peach slices as you would if they were fresh\u2026you don\u2019t even need to thaw them first! Remove what you need for a particular recipe and return the rest to the freezer bag for later use.<\/p>\n

    Here are a few of our favorite ways to use frozen peaches:<\/strong><\/h3>\n