The key to a great smoothie is using great ingredients. Having frozen fruit on hand makes it so easy to whip up a smoothie anytime. You can use fresh fruit, but frozen fruit gives your smoothie that nice icy thick texture.
You can definitely buy bags of frozen fruit, but when I can,I I like to freeze my own. You can enjoy the fresh fruit, and when it is just past that point of peak ripeness, freeze the sweet delicious flavor of it and use it for a smoothie. Plus you can buy your produce when it is in season at a better price.
Flash Freezing Fruit and Veggies
The way I freeze my fruit is called Flash Freezing. Technically flash freezing is a process in which food is very quickly frozen at extremely cold temperatures. Foods are flash frozen so that as many nutrients are retained as possible, and to make sure that the food is as fresh and flavorful as it can be. But you can do the fake version of flash freezing at home.
To Flash Freeze:
- 1) Wash and/or peel your fruit/vegetable thoroughly.
- 2) Place flat on a baking tray. It’s best if your product isn’t touching, but it isn’t the end of the world if it is.
- 3) Freeze.
Yes it really is that simple. Look how perfect it looks after it is frozen. (Don’t mind the weird squarish-looking strawberry) I left some of the stems on for when I make a green smoothie. Our favorite fruit to freeze for smoothies are:
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Cherries (pitted)
- Grapes
- & peaches!
Then I put it in smoothie size portion bags. Perfecto. Ready to rock and roll with the blender. You can do this with veggies too! Spinach is a great veggies to freeze for smoothies.
For more produce freezing tips and smoothie ideas:
Seriously who needs those smoothie bag mixes when you can make your own!
Happy Blending!
