How to freeze melon pieces and halves for the winter at home: the best recipes

Many home cooks are concerned about whether melon can be frozen, as it's not the best berry to store in the freezer. But this doesn't stop fans of frozen fruit pieces. This process is quite difficult to accomplish at home. For this reason, it's recommended to first familiarize yourself with several techniques on how to properly freeze melon at home for the winter. Let's take a look at detailed recipes.

Melon is a healthy and tasty fruit.

Melon is a pseudo-berry, cultivated by humans and bred from the wild. It is considered low in calories, with only 36 kilocalories per 100 grams.

Let's look at the beneficial properties:

1. Normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system. Improves mood, preventing the development of apathy and depression.
2. It has a beneficial effect on a person’s hormonal balance.
3. Stabilizes the digestive system and reduces the risk of constipation.
4. Cleanses the body of toxins, waste and other harmful compounds.
5. Removes harmful cholesterol from the blood. Prevents the development of atherosclerosis. The presence of potassium strengthens the heart muscle.
6. It has a mild diuretic effect and helps remove stones. It is recommended for urinary tract conditions.
7. It has a beneficial effect on the appearance of hair, nails, and skin. It has a rejuvenating effect on the body.

In addition to all of the above, melon supports the health of the male reproductive system, female beauty and children's health.

What variety is suitable?

To preserve the beneficial and nutritious properties of melon, it's important to know how to choose the right product. For this storage method, melon varieties are recommended. They have dense, crisp flesh and a rind with a visible pattern of cracks.

The most suitable variety is considered to be Cantaloupe - melons With bright orange flesh, reminiscent of pumpkin. Judging by its appearance, it won't be difficult to find it among the many varieties available in stores or markets.

Melon varieties have a strong aroma that persists even after freezing. The more intense the flavor, the better.

Avoid varieties with soft, watery flesh. They will turn into a tasteless mush after defrosting.

Preparing the ingredient for freezing

You can freeze melon at home, but you need to know how to prepare it properly.

Rinse the melon thoroughly under water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut it open; using a large spoon, remove the seeds and coarse fibers. Separate the flesh from the skin.

For freezing, it's recommended to use small containers. This is convenient and economical, as you won't have to defrost a large quantity of melon.

For storage, it is recommended to choose the following types of containers:

• Freezer bags with special fastening closures;
• food-grade plastic containers with tight lids.

Standard freezing option

Wash and dry the ripe, juicy, and fragrant berries. Divide into two equal halves, remove any inedible seeds and fibers, and peel. Chop the pulp into medium-sized slices. You can also slice them, or for a more aesthetically pleasing look, use an ice cream scoop. Scoop out the berries into balls.

Large pieces should not be frozen. They will freeze unevenly, resulting in a soggy product.

Wash a wooden cutting board with soap and water and then rinse with boiling water. Line it with a plastic bag or film and arrange the slices slightly apart to prevent the food from freezing into a single lump.

After 24 hours, when the ingredient is completely frozen, carefully pour it into a storage container.

Frozen in sugar syrup

To create a delicious and aromatic dessert you need to prepare:

• melon – 1.3 kilograms;
• filtered water – 500 milliliters;
• granulated sugar – 0.5 kilograms.

First, prepare the syrup. Pour the filtered liquid into a thick-bottomed container and add granulated sugar. Place over heat and continue cooking until the sugar granules dissolve. Cool the hot, sweet syrup.

Prepare the melon, chop the pulp into small pieces.

Place them in a thin layer in a container where they will freeze to 2/3 of their capacity. Fill with syrup, but not all the way.

Freeze for 24 hours. That's it – the product is ready to eat.

In powdered sugar

To preserve the melon's sweetness, we recommend checking out the following original recipe. Ingredients:

• fragrant melon;
• powdered sugar.

Wash the berries, remove the skin and internal, inedible seeds and fibers, and chop the processed pulp into cubes.

Place on a cutting board, lined with cling film. Place the prepared pieces on it and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

Place in the freezer for 24 hours until completely frozen. Transfer the frozen product to storage bags and return to the freezer.

Freezing melon puree

Soft melon can be pureed and frozen for long-term storage. This dessert looks original and unusual.

Prepare the berries: rinse, dry, and remove any inedible parts and peel. Cut into slices and puree in a blender until smooth and lump-free.

Pour into individual baking or ice cube trays. Place them carefully in the freezer. Freeze for 24 hours. After 24 hours, carefully remove from the trays, place in freezer bags or wrap each one in plastic wrap, and return to the freezer.

Frozen halves

Freezing melon halves is not recommended. Firstly, they take up a lot of space. Secondly, during freezing, the center will become covered with ice, which can damage cells and tissue, and in some cases, the entire fruit.

Airy dessert

In addition to the recipes listed above, melon can be frozen as a delicious dessert. Here's what you'll need:

• granulated sugar – 100 grams;
• melon – 700-900 grams;
• filtered water – 200 milliliters;
• watermelon – 700-900 grams;
• freshly squeezed orange juice – 50 milliliters.

First, prepare all the ingredients. Wash the melon, dry it, and remove any seeds and inedible fibers. Grind the pulp in a meat grinder or food processor. Repeat the same process with the watermelon.

Combine the watermelon and melon mixture and mix thoroughly.

Let's prepare the syrup. Pour the filtered liquid, freshly squeezed orange juice, and granulated sugar into a suitable container. Place on the stove and bring to a boil, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and let cool.

Pour the cooled syrup into the puree and stir. Divide the mixture into containers. Freeze until completely set.

For consumption, take the dessert out 10-15 minutes beforehand to allow the mixture to defrost a little.

Frozen in pieces

Freezing berries in chunks is easy and simple. Rinse and dry the melon. Cut into equal pieces. Remove the seeds, any unwanted fibers, and the rind. Chop the flesh into pieces. Place on a food tray lined with plastic wrap.

Space the pieces evenly. Place in the freezer and freeze for 24 hours. Then, place in a separate bag and return to the refrigerator.

How to properly defrost canned melons

It's recommended to defrost the berries at room temperature, after placing them in a colander. If the berries are in a bag, carefully place the bag on a plate and refrigerate them overnight on the lowest shelf.

For quick defrosting, you can use the following method: Remove the packaged product and place it in another bag. Place it in warm water and defrost until completely softened.

It is strictly forbidden to put frozen berries into water without a bag, as the ingredient loses its flavor and nutrients.

If the berries are to be cooked, there's no need to defrost them first. Otherwise, the ingredient will lose all its beneficial properties.

How long can it be stored?

The quality of the product and its shelf life directly depend on the degree of freezing. At -6°C, frozen melons can be stored for 7-14 days. At -12°C, they can be stored for 4-6 weeks, and at -18°C, they can be stored for up to 1 year.

The lower the temperature in the chamber, the faster the berries can be frozen, and therefore the result after defrosting will be good.

Freezing berries and fruits is a challenging process that requires careful preparation. It's important to thoroughly study all the intricacies and advice from experienced professionals, as well as detailed recipes. Preparing delicious and juicy berries will delight both adults and children this winter.