Blueberries are one of the best fruits you can eat. I like to pick them from a local farm, the Nesbit Blueberry Farm, every summer. I like to eat blueberries year round so I freeze and can them so they are ready for use anytime I want.
Before I tell you about those methods here are a few tips:
- Select plump blueberries with a gray-blue color.
- Pick early in the morning for better flavor-especially if it’s hot.
- Once picked leave them in an open container or bag on the counter overnight so the moisture can release easily and they can set.
- Don’t wash blueberries until just before use or you will remove the protective bloom-the white film.
- Fresh berries can store from 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator, and at least a year in the freezer.
Freeze
Do not wash the berries! They become mushy and loose some taste. Place the blueberries in one layer on a cookie sheet, freeze about one hour. Once the berries are frozen place in storage container or bag. I like to use freezer bags. Keep freezing the berries one sheet at a time until they are finished. Label the bag. When you’re ready to use pull them out of the bag, place in colander and wash. If you are cooking the blueberries do not thaw to ensure maximum flavor, but do allow a few more mintues of cooking time. I like to use frozen blueberries in salads, pancakes, muffins, desserts, and smoothies.
Can
I mostly use canned blueberries for peach-blueberry cobbler when we go camping. I also like to make pies from canned blueberries. I plan on a separate post for this topic after I can some myself and get some step by step pictures for you!
If you live near the Memphis, Tennessee area the Nesbit Blueberry Farm is a great place to purchase blueberries! Checkout Madame Deals for more saving tips!
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LOL, I live just a few minutes from Nesbit (I'm south of Olive Branch) and didn't even know about this! Thanks for sharing.
LOVE blueberries! At the end of July we head to upstate New York to my inlaws. We always pick blueberries up there the day before we come home. I freeze most of them and make blueberry jam. It is so much more affordable to pick your own and freeze them!
Thanks for linking up your post today!
Those look delicious!