During the summertime, cantaloupe is a great snack because of its sweet and bitter flavor.If you find that you have purchased more cantaloupe than you can consume, you may be wondering how to properly store it in the freezer to make it last longer.Store your cantaloupe in a sealed container in the freezer after washing and cutting it into cubes.It's best to preserve its flavor with sugar or a simple syrup and enjoy it for a long time.
Step 1: Make sure the cantaloupe is ripe.
To find out if the cantaloupe is ripe, smell it.The smell of the rind will be sweet and fragrant.The rind should have a wrinkled texture.Leave the cantaloupe on the counter at room temperature for a day or two before cutting it.If the cantaloupe is rotten, you should discard it.
Step 2: Before cutting cantaloupe, rinse it under water and dry it.
Use your fingers or a produce scrub brush to remove any dirt from the wrinkled skin after washing the cantaloupe.Dirt and harmfulbacteria can be found on the exterior of a cantaloupe.When you cut the cantaloupe, pat it dry to make it easier to handle.The texture of cantaloupes will only get worse when they are frozen.
Step 3: Cut cantaloupe into cubes using a heavy knife.
You can find a method of cutting that is most comfortable for you.There are many ways to cut a cantaloupe.Some involve cutting the cantaloupe in half and then chopping off the rind, while others do it the other way around.To get started, place the cantaloupe on a cutting board and keep it from rolling by bracing it with one hand.To make a flat surface, slice the cantaloupe from top to bottom with a heavy knife.Carefully cut the cantaloupe in half after placing it on one of the flattened ends.The cantaloupe's seeds and pulp can be removed with a metal spoon.Either trim the rind from each half by placing it flat against the cutting board or cut the halves into smaller slices.The cantaloupe should be dicing into cubes.
Step 4: Spread your dices on the baking sheets.
If you want to avoid having the cantaloupe pieces stick to each other, create a single layer of diced cantaloupe.If you need to properly space the melon, use 2 baking sheets.You can use plastic wrap if you don't have parchment paper.
Step 5: The melon should be in the freezer for 30 minutes.
The melon should be frozen to solidify the juices.The melon dices won't stick together when you store them in a container.After 30 minutes, gently squeeze or tap a few of the larger pieces with your fingers to check for firmness.The melon shouldn't be secreting any juice.If the larger pieces don't seem firm, leave the melon in the freezer for another 10 minutes.
Step 6: The cantaloupe dices will be put into a container.
You can choose between a plastic or glass container.The space between the fruit and the container should be 2 in.As the fruit is fully frozen, the room will expand.You don't have to put the cantaloupe dices in the container.If you want to preserve the cantaloupe without adding sugar or syrup, place it in a freezer bag.
Step 7: The cantaloupe dices can be mixed with sugar.
If you plan to keep the fruit in the freezer, you should consider coating the dices with sugar.While frozen, the fruit will retain its flavor and color.For every 1 1/2 cups of diced cantaloupe, use 1 cup of sugar.The cantaloupe dices will coat the sugar in the container.
Step 8: To retain the fruit's texture, submerge the dices in a simple syrup.
Submerging the dices with a simple syrup is a great way to use cantaloupe.The texture of the fruit will be protected by the syrup.Combine water or fruit juice with 2 cups of sugar in a saucepan to make a light syrup.When the sugar is completely dissolved, bring the mixture to a boil.If you want to chill the syrup, put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.The cantaloupe dices should be covered with more of the simple syrup.The cantaloupe should be submerged by resting a piece of paper against the surface of the syrup.
Step 9: Before freezing, label the container with the prepared date.
It's a good idea to make sure the lid is properly sealed.To label the container with the date you are freezing it, use a permanent marker and masking tape.How long the cantaloupe has been frozen will be determined by this.
Step 10: The container should be kept in the freezer for at least 10 to 12 months.
The cantaloupe should be frozen for at least 10 to 12 months.The cantaloupe will last a few months longer than the year before, but the flavor and texture may begin to diminish.If the cantaloupe has a strange smell or appearance, throw it out.
Step 11: When you're ready to eat the cantaloupe, put it in the fridge.
To allow the container to thaw completely, leave it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.The cantaloupe should be checked periodically to make sure it is fresh.Before putting it in the refrigerator, place the container on a plate.The water will run off the container as it thaws.
Step 12: Break up the dices with a spoon to help it thaw quicker.
Un-clump any pieces that are stuck together by using a spoon between the dices.It will take longer to thaw if the dices are left clumped.If you froze cantaloupe in a simple syrup, you should stir the mixture with a spoon after the first day of thaw.This will help the dices thaw quicker.
Step 13: Add the cantaloupe to other fruit or serve it as is.
Combine cantaloupe with other ingredients to make a fruit salad, or eat it as a snack.Pair it with grapes, oranges, apples, peaches, and any other fruit you can think of.cantaloupe was preserved in a simple syrup.The cantaloupe can be kept in the refrigerator for a week.If you refreeze the cantaloupe, it will promote the growth ofbacteria on the fruit.