How to freeze blackberries

Many people are unsure as to whether or not you can freeze blackberries once they have been picked, and the answer is yes you can! Millions of blackberries get thrown away each day because people do not realise that they can be frozen and used in a variety of ways.

When freezing blackberries it’s best not to wash the fruit beforehand as they are prone to going mushy once defrosted.

Place the blackberries on a flat tray (one that is small enough to go in your freezer), arrange the blackberries on the tray ensuring that they don’t touch. Place gently into the freezer and allow to freeze for a few hours.

Once the blackberries are completely frozen, remove from the tray and place in either a sealed container with a lid on or a freezer bag with a tie.

Depending on what you want to do with the blackberries, you can either throw them in a smoothie (defrosted or frozen) or bake in a pie.

By using blackberries in a homemade smoothie you are drinking lots of goodness and vitamins in just one glassful and your smoothie can be extremely low fat too.

Below are a couple of free tasty smoothie recipes for you to make at home. You will not only save money, but you know exactly what ingredients has gone into it.

Blackberry and Honey Dew Melon Smoothie Recipe

(serves 2 )

Ingredients

2 cups of frozen blackberries

2 cups honeydew melon (fresh or frozen)

1/3 cup of sugar (or more to taste)

Method

Place the blackberries into your smoothie machine first, followed by the honeydew melon, and add the sugar. Blend for approximately 45 seconds. Pour and enjoy.

Very Berry Smoothie Recipe

(serves 1)

Ingredients

1 good handful of blueberries

1 banana

1 scoop of low-fat vanilla ice cream

Method

To make this quick free smoothie recipe blend banana and blueberries in your blender for approx 35 seconds. Next add the vanilla ice-cream then blend for a further 20 seconds. Serve smooth and enjoy.

- flowercarole

Berry Almond Blast Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cups frozen whole berries (use blackberries, strawberries or raspberries)
1 cup nonfat soy milk
3/4 teaspoons almond extract
1/2 cups silken tofu (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Makes 2 smoothies.

Berry Bliss Smoothie Recipe

2 scoops raspberry sherbet
4 strawberries
15 blueberries
5 blackberries
16 ounces orange juice (or juice of your choice)

Put all ingredients in a blender, juice last, then blend until smooth. To add thickness try adding more sherbet or ice to the smoothie. Pour into a tall glass to serve.

Black and Blue Bomber Smoothie Recipe

1/4 cups blueberries
1/4 cups blackberries
1 banana
1/2 cups apple juice
1/3 cups raspberry sorbet

Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!

Blackberry Smoothie Recipe

3/4 cups apple juice
1/2 cups plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups frozen blackberries
1 banana

Pour liquid ingredients into the blender first. Yogurt is a liquid ingredient. All fruit goes into blender at one time. Put cover on and blend until smooth.

Cherry Cantaloupe Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cantaloupe (peeled, seeded, and sliced)
1/2 cups apple or apricot juice
2-3 pitted cherries
1/4 cups raspberries or blackberries
3-4 ice cubes

Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smoothie consistency is reached!

Cocoa Berry Smoothie Recipe

3/4 cups apple juice
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 cups mixed frozen berries
2 to 3 tablespoons sweetened powdered cocoa

Pour liquid ingredients into the blender first. Yogurt is a liquid ingredient. Add berries and cocoa. Put cover on and blend until smooth.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie Recipe

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons blackberry jelly
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 banana, frozen and chunked
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons wheat germ

In a blender combine milk, jelly, peanut butter, banana, honey and wheat germ. Blend until smooth.