Name: Teach Them Diligently (Branson)
Start: 2025-05-15T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-17T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Branson, MO

Tagged: freezing, preserving, raspberries

This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by Sue.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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August 25, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Sue
Participant
Hello, all of you knowledgeable, whole foods-loving, food-preserving Queens:
I just received notice of a 1/2 price deal on pick-your-own fresh raspberries. The price is $9.30 for 3 quarts, half off their regular price. I haven’t notice this year’s price in the grocery store, but this sounds like a good deal.
So, is freezing the best way to preserve these little gems? I don’t think I would have the time to make jam or anything like that, and I haven’t done that before. Any pointers for me?
Sue
August 25, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Rachel White
Participant
Yes, freezing is best. Don’t wash till ready to freeze. Soak in cold water and a tablespoon of salt for about 10 min., to help get bugs out. Let them dry (I pat them with paper towels to get out as much moisture as possible). Then lay them on a cookie sheet and place in coldest section of freezer.
When frozen(I do 12 hrs.), bag/seal.
You can make jam or fruit syrup with frozen fruit at a later time. Is that not convenient?!
As for the price, yes that’s a good one. That would make it $3.10 a qrt., when at the stores and even at other u-picks, that’s about how much a pint would cost.
HTH,
Rachel
August 25, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Sue
Participant
Thanks, Rachel…..you are indeed a foodie queen! (among several around here )
Actually, I looked on the website of this particular farm, and their price for already-picked clamshells of raspberries is $3.25 per 1/2 pint! I believe that size was $3.99 in stores last year….we love raspberries, but that was like eating gold nuggets.
My biggest trouble is being able to shift everything around in the freezer for a couple of days in order to get the cookie shee to lie flat and undisturbed through several freezings…..but I would make it work for these babies! I was wondering, do they keep well when placed in the regular zip-sealed freezer bags, or do you have to use one of those heat-sealed bag systems?
Sue
August 25, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Rachel White
Participant
You don’t have to use a sealor, though it keeps the freezer burn away longer. I used ziplock in the past and it works fine-just squeeze as much air out as you can each time the bag is opened.
My blueberries kept in a ziplock until they’re gone from the time I picked them, which was from Aug. to around March.
Rachel
August 25, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Jenni
Participant
$3.99 a pint would be a delight! We’re still paying around $6.99 a pint, and they’re usually moldy before we can eat them at dinner/dessert the day I bring them home. Hope yours fare much better! FYI, I’ve also frozen grapes and cherries like what Rachel described.
August 25, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Sue
Participant
No, it was $3.99 for a half-pint! I’m not sure what it’s going for now. We’ve pretty much stuck to blueberries and strawberries this year.
Ooo, and we love frozen grapes, good as candy to us!