Quick Fix: Freezing Strawberries

You know that I love canning by now, right? We make some mean strawberry jam around these parts. But sometimes you come across some strawberries that just aren't right for the jammin' if ya know what I mean. If you don't know what I mean, I'll explain: when you are canning and preserving, you want to get the freshest berries in that jam. It'll taste the best and such.

Just because a berry is past it's jammy prime doesn't mean you gotta pitch it, though. Oh no! Waste not, want not. That's my motto when it comes to the kitchen. And unless that berry is moldy or bad, there is a solution to be had. So when my awesomely wonderful friend Chantal brought me strawberries that had past their jammin' prime, I knew just what to do with them: freeze those suckers!

These are the perfect strawberries to throw in your morning smoothie (if you don't have breakfast issues) and/or they are also great for topping desserts or throwing in a pie or whatever else you can dream up. I love freezing, don't you? Let's take a moment to be thankful for it....

....dear frozen food Gods, I wanted to take a moment, not to ask you for anything, but just to say "thank you" for inventing the freezer. Without you, these berries would have gone bad. In the name of "waste not, want not," Amen....

Okay, now that's out of the way, let's freeze some berries! Buuurrrrries. Hehe. That was a freezing joke.

Now, there are a couple of ways to do this. One is to throw them in a ziploc and call it a day. The other is to put them on a tray, let them freeze individually, and then transfer them to a ziploc or a vacuum sealed freezer bag. I opted for something in between. I vacuum sealed them and threw them in the freezer. (I highly recommend a vacuum sealer if you are anywhere near as crazy about the kitchen as I am.)

Either way, first you want to chop the tops (that's the green portions) and any decay off of your fruit. I save mine for the chickens, who think that these are the best little treats they ever did eat. You can also compost them....or toss them. Your choice, I'm not lookin'.

Then freeze away!! I like to portion mine in various sizes...you never know what you might be in the mood for!