Freezing berries that you pick is a great way to enjoy fresh fruit year round. Freezing whole berries on a pan is my favorite method for preserving fruit. It’s super easy to do and you’ll save resources by using glass or plastic containers.

Follow these 4 easy steps to freezing berries:

1.  Rinse berries that grow close to the ground (strawberries) and remove green tops

2.  Arrange berries on a jelly roll pan (11″x17″) lined with a clean, dry, cotton towel

3.  Place berries in freezer until frozen solid (about 3 hours)

4.  Transfer frozen berries to freezer-proof container and return to freezer

Berries in the freezer can be enjoyed year round. They are a little taste of summer in your mouth!  I love using the frozen berries in our fruit smoothies and in muffin and cake recipes. You can do this, too. It’s so easy.

If you don’t have time to go pick the berries yourself, just them at the market when they’re in season. That’s usually when they’re at the best price, too.

Notes:  The towel can be used several times for freezing berries.  Non-fuzzy towels work best.  Soak towel in a small bucket with 1 Tablespoon of Borax and water to ensure berries don’t stain.

The “girls” in our backyard were happy, too.

Do you like to freeze berries? Do you have backyard chickens?

Go Gingham related links:

Betsy’s best brownies – our chicken who is no longer with us
Healthy and tasty chocolate chip cookies – yes, with flax seeds and chocolate chips!
Delicious cake to make with apples – excellent cake
My non-gardener-gardening-strategy – yes, non gardeners can fake it
Strawberry picking adventures – not quite strawberry jam material
Frugal family fun – berry picking and other fun activities that don’t cost lots of money