How to freeze cherries with pits for the winter >>> a simple recipe with step-by-step photos

Freezing cherries is quite simple, especially if you leave the pits in. You won't even have to bother with removing them or getting splattered with juice. So if you want to quickly prepare cherries with minimal time, simply choose freezing.

Nutritional value per serving

52 kcal

Proteins: 0.8 g
Fats: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 10.6 g

*Nutritional value is calculated per 100g of ingredients

Total time: 15 min
Time in the kitchen: 15 min
Complexity:

It will work even if you're making it for the first time. Not just this dish, but your first time ever.
Number of servings: 1

When making jam, it's usually recommended to remove the pits. The main reason is that whole cherries don't absorb sugar as well. Freezing doesn't pose this problem. Moreover, when considering whether to freeze cherries with or without pits, consider how much juice remains on your hands after pitting.

Cherries with pits retain their shape, flavor, and aroma completely. They retain much more juice. However, this doesn't mean you'll still likely have to peel the cherries later. Even if it's only a small portion, enough for dessert.

Recipe with step-by-step photos

How to freeze cherries with pits for the winter?

Ingredients

Servings

Cherry

1 kg

Preparation

Step 1

Place a colander in the sink and place the cherries in it. Rinse them under running water and let them drain for 1-2 minutes. You can even dry the berries a bit more to prevent them from becoming coated with ice.

Step 2

Place the berries on a tray in a single layer. Leave the stems on or remove them. It's up to you. However, any bruised or damaged berries should be removed to prevent them from ruining the finished product.

Step 3

Place the cherries in the freezer overnight. This will ensure they become as firm as possible.

Step 4

Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place it on the work surface.

Step 5

Place the berries in vacuum bags, release the air and close tightly.

Step 6

Frozen cherries It's ready. We put it in the freezer drawer in a more compact form.

Step 7

Bon appetit!

Answers to frequently asked questions

How long can frozen cherries with pits be stored?

If your freezer can consistently maintain a temperature of -16 degrees Celsius or lower, pitted cherries can be stored for 10 months to a year.

What can you make with frozen cherries?

Everything is the same as with fresh cherries. The berries retain their shape when frozen. They can be used to decorate any dessert. The flavor of frozen cherries also remains unchanged. So compotes, jams, pie fillings, and desserts will be just as flavorful.

How to remove pits from frozen cherries?

If you defrost the berries first, the cherries will turn to mush while you're removing the pits. Instead, warm the berries slightly and then cut them into even halves with a knife. The pit is easily removed from the hard flesh by hand. You can also use the hook on a garlic press or a special tool. These work just as effectively on frozen berries.

A few words about hydrocyanic acid

This is the most common scare story about cherries. The pits contain amygdalin, which converts to cyanide when ingested. This is true, but for poisoning to occur, the average adult would have to chew and eat about 600 cherry pits. Until you do this, cherries are completely safe for you, regardless of how you store them. So don't worry, and go ahead and stock up on cherries for the whole family!

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