freezing strawberries?

[GillwithG]

Can anyone tell me if and the best way to freeze Strawberries??!! Many Thanks

[Clanad]

First, no matter if you are working with blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or any other type of berry (or grape), wash them first. Make sure there is no mold or soft discolored spots, and no dirt clinging. Trim the strawberries and remove any stems from the blueberries.

Then, use cookie sheets to lay out the berries without touching. Fit as many as you can per sheet, but make sure they are all separate. Chill the berries in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes to an hour. Then freeze them for at least 4 hours (depending on how powerful your freezer is). Once frozen, the berries can be stored in freezer bags and defrosted by the piece instead of in large clumps. Label the bags with the date and contents. (From Food Network)

[GillwithG]

THankyou I will give it a try! Do u think cookie paper is geaseproof paper?

[Gwyne]

If you are wanting a less fancy approach :)

i freeze strawberrie to use in smoothies- i just wash them and cut them in half then put them in a big plastic tub then use them as needed. They taste lovely on there own as well.

[woofgang]

Just to add to Clanad's masterly exposition, strawberries actually don't freeze as well as grapes, cherries raspberries because of their high water content and fragile cell structure. As they thaw, the water runs out and they collapse to delicious moosh. I tend to puree them with caster sugar to taste and freeze the puree.

[woofgang]

this would appear to be a seminal website for strawberry lovers!

http://www.strawberry-recipes.com/freeze_strawberries.html