Freezing Blueberries

Fresh-Picked Flavor All Year Long

South Haven, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Blueberry Capital of the World, and midsummer is prime picking season. So, one sunny August weekend, we loaded the Chevy Suburban with youngsters and headed for the big blueberry patch. Everyone got a pail, even the toddlers. We scattered among the heavy-laden bushes, which fairly dripped with their giant bunches of berries.

After a couple of hours in the sun, our family returned home with a trunkful of blue treasure. We gorged ourselves on fistfuls of berries until we feared we might metamorphosize into great blue balls, just like Willy Wonka's Violet Beauregarde.

Many uses for fresh berries

Later, back at home, I pored through my recipe binder, seeking blueberry-laden baking inspiration. We whipped up blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, blueberry buckle, blueberry cobblers, and more. We topped our breakfast cereals with blueberries. Before bed, we ate ice cream with blueberries. Finally, we could take it no more.

We lined several small baskets with colorful cotton calico fabrics and filled them with blueberries. After tying the tops with pretty bows, we delivered these to several friends. Still, we had a giant bin of berries remaining!

It was time to save our indigo treasures for days when blue skies would turn dreary and store-bought blueberries would fetch sky-high prices in the produce department.

We cleared the decks in the kitchen and began a team project, freezing several pounds of our fresh-picked bounty! Here's how to do it.

How to freeze blueberries

For the best results, freeze just-picked berries as soon as possible. Once they begin to soften, it is impossible to bring them back.

Wash your blueberries lightly before freezing. (Frozen berries are more fragile than fresh ones, so you absolutely will not want to wash them afterwards.)

Fill a large bowl or tub with cool water, and gently bob the berries in it. Pick out any leaves, stems, and soggy or spoiled berries.

Lay two layers of soft paper toweling on a counter or table. Drain berries, and spread them out in a single layer. Blot tenderly with additional paper towels.