Peach season often passes before you even know it. But if you freeze your peaches, then you can enjoy the sweet warmth of summer all winter long. To preserve and maintain the peach's aroma and flavor, pick the peaches at their peak of ripeness. You can slice and freeze them in a syrup solution or wrap whole peaches in newspaper. Check out this guide for how to freeze your peaches.
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Method 1 of 5: Picking and Blanching Peaches
Step 1. Buy or pick ripe peaches that are still fresh
Choose peaches that are fragrant and slightly soft to the touch. When gently pressed with a finger, it produces a slight indentation, but it does not penetrate the skin. Look for peaches that are without bruises and holes.
- Buy peaches at the peak of their season, rather than too early or too late. Peach season differs in different regions.
- Peaches that are ripe on a tree and grown locally will have more flavor than peaches grown commercially and ripe in stores. Look for peaches at your local market, or head to a peach field or orchard where you can pick your own fruit.
Step 2. Prepare a pot of boiling water
Fill a large pot with water to 3/4 full and place it on the stove. Turn until the heat is medium high and bring the water to a boil. This boiling water will later be used for blanching the peaches to inactivate the enzymes in it so that it helps maintain and maintain the color, texture and taste of the peaches that will be stored by freezing.
Step 3. Prepare a container or basin of ice water
Fill this container with 1 tray of ice cubes and plenty of water. This ice water will be used to cool the peaches after the blanching process so that the cooking process doesn't continue and the peaches don't get mushy.
Step 4. Make a cross cut on the peach skin
Take a sharp knife and make an "X" shaped slice at the top of each peach. This will make it easier to peel the peach skin after blanching.
Step 5. Soak the peaches in boiling water
Use a slotted spoon to submerge the peaches in the water. Add four or more peaches at a time and leave them in the water for 40 seconds.
Step 6. Transfer the peaches to the ice water
Use a slotted spoon or strainer to carefully transfer the peaches from the boiling water to the iced water. Continue until all the peaches have been blanched and cooled.
Method 2 of 5: Processing Peaches
Step 1. Peel the skin of the peach
Use your fingers to carefully peel off the skin of the peach. The skin should be loose and easy to peel after blanching and cooling. It's easiest to peel them starting at the "X" on the top of the peach you made earlier. Peel the skin and discard.
Step 2. Cut the peach in half and remove the seeds
Using a very sharp knife, hold the peach in your hand and cut it in half, cutting through the center around the seed. Cut the peach in half, then remove half the peach from the seed. Take the seeds from the other half and discard them. Repeat this process for all the remaining peaches.
- You may have to gently twist the peach pieces to remove them from the seeds.
- Try your best to keep each peach halve intact (not crushed) while you separate it from the seeds.
Step 3. Slice the peach
Use a knife to slice the peach lengthwise (as if you were slicing an apple) into uniform sizes. Make it as small or as large as you want, depending on what you plan to use these peach slices for later.
Method 3 of 5: Freezing Peaches in Water or Syrup
Step 1. Place the peach slices in a container to store food in the freezer
You may need to use more than one or more containers, depending on how many peaches you have. You can use box containers, jars, or sealed plastic bags for frozen storage. Be sure to leave a few inches of space between the peach arrangement and the edge of the slice.
Step 2. Pour your preferred soaking/packaging solution over the peaches
Freezing the peaches in solution will prevent the peaches from sticking together, and will also help preserve their sweetness. Choose from one of the following solutions to pour over the peaches, and leave about 1 inch or so of free space at the top.
- Water. If you prefer not to use added sugar, you can add plain (unsalted) water to the container to help preserve the peaches.
- Sugar. Arrange the peach slices at the bottom of the bowl and sprinkle the sugar on top. Add another layer of peaches and sprinkle some more sugar on top. And so on until you've filled the container, leaving 1.25 cm of space at the top.
- Syrup. Make a syrup solution by heating 4 cups water and 1 1/2 - 2 cups sugar in a skillet or small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool, then pour it over the peaches in a bowl.
Step 3. Put the lid on the container and label it
Make sure you include the processing and packaging date.
Step 4. Store the container of peaches in the freezer
Frozen peaches can last for 8 to 10 months.
Method 4 of 5: Freeze Dried Peaches
Step 1. Place the peach slices in a single layer (do not stack) on the baking sheet
Make sure that no peach slices are sticking together so they don't clump or freeze together. Cover the pan with plastic wrapper.
Step 2. Freeze
Place the baking sheet in the freezer and leave it there until the peach slices freeze. This is a pre-freezing treatment.
Step 3. Put the peaches in a frozen food storage container
You can use a sealed container or plastic bag (ziplock) for frozen storage. Fill the container with sliced peaches, leaving some space at the top. Since the peach slices are pre-frozen, they won't stick to each other even if they're placed next to each other. Label the container with the processing date and the storage/freezing start date of the peaches.
Step 4. Store in the freezer
These frozen peaches can last for 8 to 10 months.
Method 5 of 5: Freeze Whole Peaches in Newspaper
Step 1. Buy or pick fresh ripe peaches
Freestone peaches are preferred, but any type of peach can be used.
Step 2. Gently wash the peaches and dry with a washcloth
Step 3. Wrap each peach in newspaper
Wrap the peaches in at least 2 layers of paper.
Step 4. Place the wrapped peaches on a baking sheet and place in the fridge overnight
Step 5. Place the frozen peaches (still wrapped in newsprint), into a large ziplock freezer plastic bag
Remove as much air as possible. Plastic cap.
Step 6. Place back into the freezer
Step 7. Thaw the peaches when you are ready to eat them
Take the peaches from the freezer and open the package. Immediately place the frozen peaches under hot water, rubbing the peel lightly so that the skin peels off.
Step 8. Remove the seeds
Carefully split the peach around the seeds, then loosen the seeds with a knife, then discard.
Step 9. Enjoy the peaches
The peaches will be ready to eat in a few minutes, and can be used just like fresh peaches.
