How to Freeze Fresh Peaches

August is National Peach Month. It got that designation because August is the best time in the United States for finding fresh summer peaches. If you want to make your peaches last beyond August, read on for tips on how to freeze fresh peaches. This will help you enjoy them all year long.

The best peaches for freezing are the freshest

Start with peaches that are ripe and fragrant. Peaches from orchards, fruit stands and farmer’s markets are always the best because they are picked ripe.

However, if you don’t live close to a farm stand or orchard, you can work with grocery store peaches. Just keep in mind that they are picked before they are ripe. Because of that, they ripen off the branch and in a warehouse. So, in the end, they lack flavor.

Preparing peaches for freezing

Some people freeze peaches with the skin on. Others remove the skin before freezing. However, here’s something everyone does before freezing peaches: they slice the peaches and they remove the pits.

Pitting peaches before freezing isn’t always as easy as pitting an avocado you may want to freeze. For example, you’ll use different methods of pit removal with different kinds of peach varieties. Here are the two most common peach varieties and the ways you need to remove their respective pits.

Freestone peaches

It is much easier to remove the pit from a freestone peach. Why? Because the flesh doesn’t cling to the pit. You can get the pit out in two easy steps.

1. Slice the peach along the natural crease line from the stem all the way around.
2. Twist the two halves of the peach apart and the pit should fall out.

Clingstone peaches

Clingstone peaches are trickier because the flesh clings to the pit, but it can be done. The goal is to loosen the pit and here is how to do it.

1. Don’t cut the peach where the natural crease is; instead, cut the peach to the side of the crease, starting at the stem and then ending on the other side of the stem.
2. Cut all the way around the peach. Gently twist the peach and one side should loosen and come off, leaving the pit attached to the other half.
3. Now cut that half again from top to bottom and pull the sections apart from the pit.

How to freeze peaches with the skin on

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze peaches with the skin on. 

1. Wash your peaches whole in cool water and then place them on a towel to let them dry off. 
2. You can freeze your peaches whole, slice peaches in half, in wedges or even dice the peaches. 
3. Lay the whole, sliced or diced peaches on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Make sure the peaches are in a single layer. 
4. Place the tray in the freezer for four to eight hours or until the peaches are completely frozen. Whole peaches can take up to eight hours to freeze.
5. Next, place the frozen peaches in a freezer container or a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before you seal it. 
6. Then freeze until you are ready to use. 

How to freeze peaches with the skin off

The easiest way to remove the skin from peaches is to blanch whole peaches, which is an easy cooking process. Here’s how to do that.

1. Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer. 
2. Next, place the peaches in the simmering water for 30 seconds. 
3. With a slotted spoon, remove the peaches and place them in a bowl of ice water. 
4. Once the peaches have cooled enough to handle, the skins will be easy to peel off.
5. You can freeze peaches whole, slice them in half,= or slice or dice skinned peaches. 
6. Place the prepped peaches on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then freeze for four to eight hours or until fully frozen. Whole peaches can take up to eight hours to freeze.
7. Place the frozen peaches in a freezer container or sealed bag with as much air removed as can be and freeze for up to 12 months.

“I always have frozen peaches in the freezer as I love to bake with peaches,” says Michelle Price of Honest and Truly. “I blanch and peel them, then slice them before I freeze them so they’re ready for me to use no matter what I choose to make.”

Whether you freeze your peaches with the skin on or off, you’ll definitely want to have your peaches in an airtight container or freezer bag with all of the air pressed out. Frozen peaches will last for six to 12 months. 

Using frozen peaches

The simplest method is to thaw frozen peaches in the refrigerator, which can take six to eight hours. For a quicker method, place the fruit in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in a bowl of cold water.  This method could take 30 minutes to an hour for the fruit to thaw.

For most recipes, like these peach raspberry bars, however, you do not need to defrost first. But because peaches are a juicy fruit, a good rule of thumb is to add double the amount of thickener, such as flour, to a recipe. This is especially true when baking a peach pie.

If you are using peaches for drinks like smoothies, you can use them frozen or defrosted. Using the frozen peaches will make your smoothie nice and thick and it will stay cold longer. 

Keep in mind that you will find that fresh fruit has a different texture than when it is frozen and thawed. So, expect your thawed peaches to be much softer than fresh ones.

Delicious ways to use peaches 

“Freezing fruit allows me to keep it on hand without spoiling,” says Lisa MarcAurele of Little Bit Recipes. “It’s also much easier to grab only the amount needed from the freezer.”

Here are some ways to use those frozen peaches so you can enjoy peachy recipes all year long. 

• Add frozen peaches to drinks can add flavor and can act as a flavorful ice cube.
• Peach pandowdy is easier to make than a pie and is perfect for using frozen peaches.
• Make fruity peaches and cream ice cream with frozen peaches any time of the year.
• While my recipe for peach whiskey barbecue chicken calls for fresh, in-season peaches, you can easily make it with peaches you’ve frozen. And since the recipe calls for pitted, sliced peaches, they’ll already be in the form you need for the recipe.

Freezing whole, half or sliced peaches is an easy process, and you will find they retain their flavor and color well. Just a few simple steps and a couple of tricks are all you need. And while you are freezing your summer bounty, don’t forget about freezing corn, too.

Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life