freezing apricots

To freeze, slice apricots in half and remove the pit, which will impart a bitter flavor. Dip in an ascorbic acid solution to discourage discoloration. Place in airtight baggies in the freezer for up to three months. With some varieties, the skin will become tough if frozen without blanching first.

Can you freeze apricots to make jam later?

Frozen apricots are wonderful to use in smoothies, fruit leather, and jam. You can also let them thaw a few hours and eat them while they are still slushy and partially frozen as a side to a meal. ... You can freeze as few or as many as you have on hand to preserve.

What is the best way to store apricots?

They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate apricots as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their texture and taste.

What can I do with a glut of apricots?

With that, here's a roundup of our favorite apricot-themed recipes to sweeten your mid-summer menu.

Grilled apricot salad. ...
Apricot chicken. ...
Apricot swirl cheesecake. ...
Apricot rice pilaf. ...
Apricot cake. ...
Apricot chutney. ...
Stuffed apricots. ...
Apricot almond bites.

How do you freeze apricots without ascorbic acid?

Apricots Frozen in Water

Pour your sliced apricots into freezer bags or containers, then pour enough of the water mixture in to cover the fruit. Be sure to leave some air space for expansion. Close your container, label and freeze. Frozen Apricots will keep for 18 months in the freezer.

Can I freeze stewed apricots?

Simply blanch in boiling water for one minute, plunge into cold water, drain and freeze. Apricots may also be packed in sugar or syrup for freezing and frozen up to 1 year. Click to see full answer.

How many apricots should you eat a day?

Apricots are a recommended health food

Obviously dried apricots count as one of your five a day. The recommended portion is 30gms (3 or 4 apricots). All dried fruit contains the same nutritional qualities as the original fresh fruit.

Do you wash apricots?

You should be washing nuts, seeds, and dried fruit before eating unless the packaging states that they are ready to eat. This is especially true if you have purchased them loose.

Will apricots ripen in the refrigerator?

Apricots do ripen once removed from the tree if they are colored; apricots do not ripen when they are green. They will remain hard, green, and flavorless. Fruits picked when colored and with a slight give to the skin can be ripened at room temp — not in the refrigerator — with some space between the fruit.

Can I store fresh apricots in the fridge?

Storing Apricots

Ripen apricots in a paper bag at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Unripe apricots can be stored at room temperature up to 5 days. Refrigerate ripe apricots in a sealed container up to one week. (Be sure that they are ripened first, as they will not ripen in the refrigerator.)

Why are my apricots sour?

Apricots Are Not Sweet. My lovely 30 year old apricot always puts out sweet delicious fruits but usually only about every 3 to 5 years. ... Fruit on any plant tends to be more sour or bitter if the plant is not getting enough nutrients or enough water.

How do you peel apricots easily?

The perk of using an apricot is that most recipes don't require the smooth skin of the apricot to be peeled. However, should you need to peel them, simply blanch in boiling water for about 20 seconds and then plunge them into ice water. The skins should peel off easily.

How do you sweeten apricots?

In a medium mixing bowl, combine apricots with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, vanilla extract and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Add apricot mixture to pan and cook until sauce thickens and apricots just slightly start to fall apart, about 8-10 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

How do you freeze apricots for smoothies?

Cut up chunks of peaches, plums, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, and apricots, and then spread them out on a tray and freeze them until firm. Store in a plastic bag until you're ready to use them. You can freeze blueberries and raspberries whole. Frozen fruit will help keep your smoothies thick and frosty.

Do apricots make you poop?

Dried Apricots

The fiber in dried fruit has a lot of things going for it. A handful can work like magic if you're constipated. These sweet treats, though, are also high in a sugar called fructose, which can give you a tummy ache if you eat too much.

Are stewed apricots good for you?

2. High in antioxidants. Apricots are a great source of many antioxidants, including beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. What's more, they're high in a group of polyphenol antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to protect against illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease (5, 6 , 7 ).

Do apricots ripen after you pick them?

Once the small fruit appears on your tree, let it ripen. ... The color, juiciness and texture of the apricot continue to increase after the fruit leaves the tree; however, flavor and sweetness don't improve after harvesting.

Are apricots good for weight loss?

Low In Calories: Apricots contain only 48 calories per 100 grams, which makes them an excellent low-cal addition to your weight loss diet. Apricots can fill you up for several hours, without affecting your calorie load and keep cravings in check.

Are apricots high in sugar?

Apricots have very little sugar.

Apricots have even less sugar than berries. The USDA noted that one fresh apricot contains just over three grams of sugar. Apricots are a great choice when you're looking to switch up your fruit routine, while still snacking on something tasty and healthy.

Can we eat apricots at night?

Choosing fresh fruit may be a better option. They add that eating a banana before bed provides potassium that may prevent nighttime leg cramping. Including fruits with higher magnesium, such as plantains, apricots, or dates, can also aid in relaxation and better sleep.

Should you wash fruit in hot or cold water?

Do not wash produce with soaps or detergents. Use clean potable cold water to wash items. For produce with thick skin, use a vegetable brush to help wash away hard-to-remove microbes. Produce with a lot of nooks and crannies like cauliflower, broccoli or lettuce should be soaked for 1 to 2 minutes in cold clean water.

Do you have to wash carrots before peeling?

When it comes down to it, you don't ever really have to peel carrots. As long as you wash and scrub them well to remove dirt and any debris, unpeeled carrots are perfectly safe (and delicious) to eat. ... Some people don't like the taste of carrot skin and say it has an unpleasant, bitter taste.

What foods should you not wash?

10 foods you don't have to wash before cooking

Washing mushrooms can seriously harm their flavor. ...
You can skip rinsing prewashed salads. ...
Eggs in the US have already received a very intense scrubbing. ...
Washing chicken can actually increase your risk of food poisoning. ...
You should never wash raw fish in your sink, either.