Can You Freeze Nectarines?

Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Nectarines?

Freezing nectarines is possible. Since it is a summer fruit, it is not usually available throughout the year. So, freezing nectarines enables you to enjoy the fruits all year round. Nectarine is a versatile fruit because you can freeze it in many ways. We shall discuss the various ways of preparing nectarines for freezing.

How Do You Freeze Nectarines?

Nectarines are delicious fruits, but they can get spoilt on becoming over ripe. Therefore, freezing the fruit is the right option.

Freezing Nectarines The Conventional Way

We recommend washing fruits before you freeze them. Washing the fruits removes the dirt and the fertilizer residue on the rind. Please tap the nectarines dry after washing them. Freezing wet fruits can lead to ice crystal formation and damage it.
It is better to cut the nectarines into small consumable pieces. You can slice it or cube it, depending on how you like to eat it. The idea is to freeze the nectarines into single servings for use in smoothies.
Place the cut fruits in ziplock or freezer-safe plastic airtight containers. Squeeze the freezer bags gently to remove all traces of air. Vacuum-sealing the bags is the best option. Alternatively, you can place a straw and suck the air before sealing them tight. Please leave some space at the top so the fruits can expand during freezing.
Stick the date label on the ziplock bags or the containers to enable convenient monitoring. You can place the containers or freezer bags inside the fridge allowing the fruits to freeze.

Freezing The Nectarines After Flash Freezing

This freezing method is different from the one discussed above. You can use this freezing method if you are unsure how to use the nectarines.

As usual, clean the nectarines and pat them dry. Please mark a small ‘X-shaped’ mark on the nectarines that will make it easier to peel the skin off.
Put the nectarines into a pot of boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, prepare an ice bowl and transfer the nectarines directly from the boiling water into the ice bath. This method is known as blanching. It helps the fruit to retain its color after the freezing process.
Remember that you had made a small X-shaped mark on the fruit. Peel the skin off the nectarines and cut the fruit in half. Remove the pith and slice it into consumable pieces.
Lay the sliced fruits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Please ensure that the fruits are spread out evenly without touching each other. Otherwise, they could stick during the flash-freezing process.
Wrap the baking sheet with cling wrap and push it inside the freezer allowing the fruits to freeze. The process can take some time. So, it is better to start overnight. The fruits would be frozen the following morning.
Once the fruits solidify, you can remove them from the freezer and transfer them to a ziplock bag or a freezer-safe airtight container. Expel excess air from the bags and the containers before sealing them.
We suggest labeling the ziplock bags to help you monitor the freezing process. Then, place the fruits inside the freezer to freeze.

Freezing Nectarines With Sugar Coating

Nectarines are excellent for making pies. Alternatively, you can have them with cream or yogurt. Under such circumstances, it is better to coat the fruits with sugar before freezing them.

Clean the fruits well and mark the ‘X’ symbol on them to make it easy to peel the skin.
Blanch the fruits as described above by placing them in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds and transferring them immediately to an ice bath.
Peel the nectarines and slice the fruits accordingly.
Prepare lemon juice in a water bowl and put the sliced nectarines to soak them. This process prevents the fruit from becoming brown after freezing.
Remove the soaked nectarines into a different bowl and sprinkle sugar over them. You can spray as much sugar as you want.
Place the sugar-coated nectarines in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Seal them tight after removing excess air. Leave some space to enable the fruits to expand during freezing.
As usual, label the bags or the containers with the freezing date and place them inside the freezer allowing the fruits to freeze.

How Long Can You Keep The Nectarines Frozen Fresh?

The frozen nectarines can remain fresh for six months in the freezer without losing their taste and flavor. However, we do not recommend waiting for six months. It is better to consume the fruits within four months.

Please note that the nectarines can become brown after freezing. But, you can prevent the browning if you rinse the fruits in lemon juice. However, the browning does not affect its taste.

How Do You Defrost Frozen Nectarines?

It depends on how you plan to use the nectarines. They do not require defrosting if you use frozen fruit in smoothies. You can transfer the frozen fruits directly from the freezer and blend them to make smoothies. However, if your recipe requires nectarines at room temperature, we suggest defrosting them inside the refrigerator. Under such circumstances, you can transfer the frozen fruits from the freezer to the fridge overnight. The nectarines defrost naturally and are ready for consumption the following morning.

It can be tempting to defrost the frozen nectarines on the kitchen counter, but we do not recommend doing it. If you do so, please ensure to consume them immediately. Otherwise, you can finish the fruits in a day or two.

Can You Refreeze Nectarines?

We do not recommend refreezing nectarines because thawing makes them mushy and soft. Refreezing soft and mushy fruits can damage their texture further and make them inedible.