Almost everyone knows about the benefits of bananas. They can always be found in the vegetable displays of supermarkets and markets. But these fruits tend to overripe quickly; many housewives have a question: how to increase storage time? Is it possible to freeze overripe bananas in the freezer? How to keep them fresh longer?
Why are bananas frozen?
The question of freezing bananas during the winter will seem strange.Perhaps such measures are resorted to in those regions where these exotic fruits are not always available for sale.
Under normal conditions, this procedure will be an excellent way to process overripe fruits. Fresh fruit has a short shelf life and quickly loses its commercial quality. If you do not take special measures and leave it in a room at normal temperature, literally within a day a ripe banana will begin to deteriorate. To increase the storage period, the banana is frozen. The frozen product is used as one of the main components in the preparation of desserts and chilled cocktails.
Selection and preparation of bananas
Freezing is carried out with ripe or slightly overripe fruits. Green fruits are not suitable for freezing.
Before putting bananas in the freezer, be sure to wash them well.
This process is considered quite appropriate considering that they have undergone extensive transportation and repeated transfers to supermarket shelves. Leave the washed fruits until completely dry.
Preparing the Freezer
To speed up the freezing process, prepare one of the freezer compartments in advance and clear the lowest temperature zone from products previously placed for storage. Next, turn on its “Freezing” function or adjust the temperature control knob to set a lower temperature. At this time, the temperature inside the freezer will become lower, which helps protect against unwanted heat caused by storing warm food.
How to freeze bananas at home
There are several recipes and methods used for freezing bananas.They use both peeled and whole peeled fruits, as well as chopped into cubes or circles, in the form of puree. Each method has its own advantages.
With peel
Many people are attracted by the low cost of this method. Fresh fruits are placed in freezer bags and placed in the freezer. Each of them must indicate the date of bookmarking. Frozen fruits have a slightly dark skin, but this does not affect their taste, they remain the same, only a little softer.
Before use, bananas are taken out to defrost, leaving them indoors at room temperature. They are cleaned as usual. These fruits are used to make smoothies, baked goods and as a filler in porridges.
Without peel
This is a fairly practical way to store overripe bananas. To do this you need:
- remove the peel from the prepared fruits;
- prepare them for pre-freezing. To do this, place the fruits at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other on a baking sheet, dish or other flat object covered with parchment or foil. Place them in the freezer for 60 minutes and let them freeze. The temperature in the refrigeration appliance should be from -18 °C to -22 °C, it is advisable not to exceed these values. This process will prevent the fruit from sticking together;
- pour the frozen product into plastic bags, remove as much air from inside as possible and close tightly.
Place the prepared products in the freezer for further storage.
Banana puree
To grind fruits, use the most accessible and convenient kitchen unit, for example, a blender. After removing the peel, their pieces are placed in the bowl of the device and brought to a homogeneous mass.Some housewives grind them using a sieve with large holes, a potato masher, or a fork.
To preserve color and extend shelf life, add lemon juice in the proportion of 1 tbsp. spoon: 1 cup puree. Place the prepared product in ice-freezing compartments and leave in the freezer until completely frozen (about 60 minutes).
The temperature inside the refrigeration appliance is set to -18 °C. Take the finished banana puree cubes out of the cells and place them in bags or containers. Tie or close tightly and indicate the date of bookmarking.
To freeze banana puree, use paper and plastic cups. Having spread out the prepared product, without adding a little to the top edge of the cups, cover with cling film.
Sliced bananas
Before putting the fruits in the freezer, they are cut into portions. The thickness is arbitrary. To ensure that they freeze evenly, the cuts are made the same size.
These pieces are placed on a board or dish and placed in the freezer for 60-90 minutes. The frozen pieces are scattered into bags or containers, on which the date must be indicated. Having removed as much air as possible, place it back into the chamber.
Banana ice cream
The dessert is prepared from ripe fruits, the skin of which is covered with black dots. The prepared fruits are cleaned and cut into two halves, inserting a special ice cream stick or skewer into each half. The bowl with crushed chocolate is placed in a water bath and kept until it is completely dissolved. Each banana blank is dipped in a warm mass and sent for freezing.
How to store frozen food
Frozen fruits are stored in special containers or plastic bags for freezing.Try not to violate the temperature regime from -18° to -22°.
Shelf life
Peeled bananas are stored for 90 days, in peel - 60 days.
To avoid missing the storage date, indicate on the homemade label the date the fruit was placed in the freezer.
How to defrost correctly
To obtain a defrosted product, it is left indoors at room temperature until completely thawed.
By adhering to the recommendations and advice indicated above, it is easy to increase the shelf life of tropical fruits, as well as enjoy their taste and aroma for a long time.
