Freezing Peaches

[SandyM]

Our house is overflowing with fresh fruit. To top it off, I called and ordered some wonderful Georgia peaches.

Thing is, we can't eat them fast enough because of everything else that's around!

I want to freeze them for future use. Just not sure how to go about it.

My assumption is the way to go is blanch, peel, slice, and put in a freezer bag. (I have yet to purchase that Foodsaver.....)

Sorry if this is so painfully obvious, but these peaches are so awesome, I want to do it right. Thanks!

[Chefzhat]

Sandy, I am from Michigan too, and we are just getting our Peaches in - and I'm busy canning away for later slurping!! You have the right idea for freezing, that's the best way. You will probably only be able to use them for cooking/baking after that. For future eating, you probably should can them. That's easy too if you have all the supplies (I canned 2 bushels last year and am just finishing them - yum). Either way, they are never the same as fresh, but you gotta do what you gotta do!!! I live very large during peach season!

Get ready, there's storms coming your way today, we are just getting them here at the lakeshore (G. Haven)!

Debie

[funnybone]

I would do what you said, but I woule freeze them first on a tray or plate, individually, and then put them in freezer bags. I think this way they wouldn't stick together as much. Also, I would pat them dry with a paper towel first. I have not done this, so I do not speak from experience, but I think I read somewhere that individual freezing of fruit and vegetables is recommended, if possible. Let us know how they turn out.

[SandyM]

Thanks for the replies. I'm sure freezing on a sheet or tray first would be best.

As for canning, I was all set to go out and buy all of the equipment. My mother canned everything, and I knew (or so I thought) I'd have a bumper crop of tomatoes from my 14 tomato plants.

Unfortunately, all of my preventative methods failed, and the deer had a field day in my garden. DH told me when I got home from work on Friday, and I just sat down and cried. I lost all but four tomatoes.

Anyway, I've whined enough. I will freeze via the methods mentioned above, and then start looking for awesome peach recipes!!!

[GayeC]

My mother used to freeze sliced peaches every summer. She did not blanch or cook them, but did use a product called Fruit Fresh to keep them from turning brown. They were delicious in the winter, even eaten plain or in fruit salad.

[SandyM]

Ummm......is it necessary to peel? I'm thinking the peel, after frozen and then thawed, would be kinda yucky....and I don't know that I've ever had an un-peeled peach in a recipe.........

Just asking.

[Karen M]

We freeze a bushel of peaches every year. My husband loves peach pie and peach cobbler, so I have to have enough to last the rest of the year.

When they are ripe, we blanch them and then place in a sink full of ice water to help loosen the skins. This works great IF the peaches are ripe. Then you can easily slice and pit them. I usually put 7 cups of sliced peaches (enough for one pie) with 2/3 cup of sugar and 2 spoonfuls of fruitfresh in a freezer bag and place in the freezer.

Then, when I want to make a pie in February, I thaw one of the bags, drain most of the liquid (save a few tablespoons), and proceed with your recipe. Works great every time.

I agree that you should can them if you want to eat them plain. But, if you want them to bake with, freezing using the above method will be fine.

Sandy - I see you live in SE Mich. I always get my peaches from Westview Orchards in Romeo right around labor day. They are excellent! Make sure you get the freestone variety. They are easier to get the pits out of. And yes, you need to peel your peaches. Good luck!

[SandyM]

Wow - thanks Karen!

Never heard of Westview Orchards (but I'm in Brighton, so it's a hike). Might be worth the trip though (as opposed to shipping them in from Georgia).

What else do they have there?

[Karen M]

Sandy - they have mostly tree fruit. Peaches, apples, plums, and cherries, depending on what time of year you go. The Orchard has been owned and operated by the women of the same family for over 5 generations. The old lady there is very proud and tells this story every time I go. Also, she gives you a small cup of hot apple cider (during apple season) and a sample of the fruit that is in season. They are very nice people. It's located on the NW corner of 30 Mile Rd and Old Van ****. Hope you get a chance to visit, you won't be dissappointed.

Oh yeah, they have a website too: http://www.westvieworchards.com/

[RobinC]

Last summer my mom and I picked LOTS of peaches. There is nothing like fresh picked peaches...yummmmmm

To freeze them, I peeled and sliced them - sprinkled them with Fruit Fresh to keep them from going brown (can be found in most grocery stores) then I sealed them up using my Food Saver vaccuum sealer. Worked like a charm.

I got really ambitious and froze peach pie filling as well. I just made up my pie filling. Put it into a pie pan lined with saran wrap. Froze the filling. Popped out the frozen pie shaped filling and sealed it up in my Food Saver. I had yummy fresh peach pie in the middle of winter.

Good Luck!

[Chefzhat]

Sandy, re: deer in your tomatoes (when is hunting season again???) this fall plant Russian Sage around your garden. Deer HATE the smell of sage and will stay away from the garden. An added bonus is that the plants are a beautiful airy purple throughout July and August. Wow, landscaping and tomatoes - what a deal!

Michigan Debie - dealing with deer over in my neck of the woods as well

[SandyM]

Well, I came up with two big fat zero's with this attempt.

1) I forgot the Fruit Fresh. What will this do to my peaches, if I decide to use them in the new peach recipes in August? Will they look and/or taste nasty???

2) I blanched the peaches for about a minute, plunged them in cold water, but the peel would not come off. I put them back in the boiling water for another minute, back in the cold water, and ended up peeling them like I would an apple. Rather frustrating. And I know these peaches were ripe - UGH.

Oh well. Caroline Ingalls I am NOT. hehehe

As far as the deer and my tomatoes, thanks for the suggestion of Russian Sage, but my deer are enjoying the putrified egg whites and coyote urine. They'd probably look at Russian Sage as a delicacy. I am NOT taking anything to chance next year. Eight foot steel rods and cattle fencing. I'll need a ladder to weed.

[Chefzhat]

Sandy, Ma INgalls was a droid, no two ways about it!

My peels never come off the peaches either, I just completely forego that step and peel them myself. My peels never come off tomatos either - I must not be praying to the right kitchen gods.

Debie