Figs can be dried or used in jams and preserves. This fruit is rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin K, and other nutrients.
There are two main types. Learn how to freeze figs.
- Fresh fig
- Dry fig
Fresh figs are a soft fruit and can be eaten as soon as they are ripe. On the other hand, dried fig is a tough fruit that can be eaten once it has dried.
You can eat frozen figs, fresh or dried in dehydrator. They are first frozen, then thawed before being eaten.
The fig season is short-lived. Only a few months is available each year for this sweet and succulent fruit. So, you can freeze the figs to preserve their texture and flavor all year.
How to Freeze Your Figs?
If you have a lot of figs, here are the necessary steps to freeze figs properly.
First Step: Wash Your Figs
Before you do any work with your figs, you need to ensure that they are clean and dry before you store them. Even if you plan to peel and store your food, it’s important to wash the fruits before you cut them and prepare them for storage.
All you have to do is rinse the figs under cool water with clean hands. You should be careful when washing figs as they can be fragile and easily bruised.
Step 2: Slice Your Figs into Quarters
You will find it easier to slice your figs into half-inch pieces when you’re ready to use them. Using your figs in smoothies and salads is also easier because they have been pre-cut and ready for you to peel them.
You might peel your figs to make a jam or sauce out of the frozen figs. This will make it easier for you to thaw the figs. Make sure you have clean hands before you begin to peel them.
Step 3: Place Your Figs on a Baking sheet
Clumpy quarters are the last thing you want when opening a bag of frozen figs. Lay your fig quarters in a single line on a baking tray to prevent them from clumping. Make sure the figs don’t touch one another.
Put the baking sheet with the separated figs in the freezer. Let them freeze completely. After the figs have frozen completely, transfer them to a freezer bag for storage. This extra step will prevent your figs from clumping together in storage. It will also make it easier to work with them once they have thawed.
Bonus Step: Add “Sugar Pack”
You can use sugar syrup to cover your fruit before you freeze it. When you thaw your fruit, it will be more flavorful and textured if you cover it with a sugar pack. Before using, you should ensure that the syrup is completely drained from your figs.
Figs are naturally sweet, so any glucose additives could overpower the dish you are using. You can make a sugar pack yourself if you don’t have access to sugar syrup.
Just coat your fig quarters in sugar. After that, let the sugar absorb moisture from the fruit until it forms syrup. The sugar syrup will warm the figs for 20 minutes before freezing them.
How does freezing affect figs?
Figs freeze well in general. However, figs can become soft and mushy if frozen. This happens because the water in figs expands and becomes ice crystals, leading to cell walls breaking down. This textural change means you cannot substitute frozen figs in some dishes for fresh figs. However, they are great for muffins, pies, creams, and sauces.
Due to oxidation, figs can change their color upon freezing. Although it doesn’t affect their taste or appearance, it will be prevented by a little ascorbic and a squeeze of lemon juice.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Figs?
It is easy to make a quick dessert by simply freezing the figs, then putting them in a blender/food processor.
You can add cream cheese, mascarpone, or honey to the recipe for an extra taste.
You can defrost frozen fruit by removing the desired amount from the freezer and placing them in a colander.
You can run cool water on them or place them in the refrigerator overnight. After that, drain any moisture.
You can halve figs frozen whole and then defrost them in warm water.
The figs absorb moisture from the environment. You should check them every 30 to 60 minutes and change the water if they get too cold.
You can place the frozen fruit in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, drain them or dry them with paper towels.
3 Tips to Freeze Figs
We’ve got three tips to help you freeze figs.
Try Ascorbic Acid- Because of air contact, figs tend to darken after freezing. Powdered ascorbic acids can prevent discoloration from occurring.
Try the Fridge- While figs do not have a long shelf life if kept at room temperature, you can keep them in the fridge for up to seven days before freezing. This is a great option if you want to preserve their texture over a long time.
Freeze Fresh- Freeze fresh figs only. When it comes time to defrost them, already mushy figs will not be of much use.
Recipes with frozen figs
Use frozen figs in recipes to preserve their texture. This happens because the water inside expands and forms ice crystals when the fruit is frozen. Fruits thawed in this way will have a different texture than fresh ones.
You can, however, make many different recipes with frozen figs. Here are some of our favorites:
- Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza: This recipe combines fig sweetness with goat cheese for a delicious pizza that’s great for any occasion.
- Fig Ice Cream: This recipe makes great use of extra figs. You can also enjoy figs in this way if you prefer to keep them fresh. to checkout time required for ice cream freezing read this article.
- Fig and Honey Tart: This recipe showcases the natural sweetness of figs. The lemon’s tartness balances out the sweetness of the honey.
- Fig and prosciutto salad: This is a great recipe for any leftover figs. The sweet figs pair well with the salty prosciutto, creamy mozzarella, and the delicious sweetness of the honey.
- Fig Jam: This recipe makes it easy to preserve figs throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Figs before Canning?
Because figs are seasonal and only available for a limited time, canning them is an attractive way to preserve them. It is possible to freeze figs before canning, preserving their sweetness and flavor for many months.
Can You Freeze Dried Figs?
It is possible to freeze-dried figs to preserve them for future use. You can keep them in a container in the freezer for up to six months. Although it can be difficult to freeze-dried fruit, it is possible.
Can you freeze cooked figs?
You can freeze cooked figs, but their texture will change when thawed. It is best to freeze them in a container, such as a freezer bag.
Can You Freeze Whole Fresh Figs?
Fresh figs are a popular fruit that can be frozen or enjoyed fresh. Frozen figs are the best way to enjoy fresh figs. Frozen figs will be easier to handle and have a firmer texture. Frozen figs are lower in calories and sugar than fresh ones.
Do You Wash Figs Before You Freeze Them?
The fig growing season is short, but picking figs before freezing can extend their shelf life. It also improves their flavor. Washing figs before freezing is essential, as dirty figs won’t freeze well.
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