The best way to freeze strawberries is the simplest and easiest. And I learned it all from my Italian Aunt! All you need are strawberries, a little lemon juice, some sugar and a couple of jars!

A couple of weeks ago the Italian and I went to visit his Aunt and Uncle (the Uncle is actually my mother-in-law’s brother). They live in the province of Frosinone in the town of Sora. It’s a really nice drive of about 2 hours just south of us.

I love going to visit because 1. I don’t have to cook and 2. I usually come home with a two or three recipes. Which of course happened.

The best Strawberries to freeze
The Best way to Freeze Strawberries
More Delicious Recipes with Strawberries

freezing strawberries slices on a board and whole in a bowl

Our Aunt made a delicious pasta dish, one of my favourites I might add. Fettuccine and Mushrooms, to make it even more tastier, she add some chopped Italian sausage. So good. She also made Italian Fried Chicken and a tossed salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and green onions, and of course tossed with some olive oil, wine vinegar and a sprinkle of salt.

But then came dessert, never mind the Italian mini pastries that I picked up from one of our bakeries in town, but her Fruit Salad was to die for. I love fruit salad and it is one thing I do make quite often in the Summer with all the beautiful fresh fruit around.

freezing strawberries, sliced in a bowl with sugar

I am going to tell you that that Fruit Salad was one of the best I have ever eaten! Full of cut up peaches, apricots, kiwi, an apple or two and of course strawberries, (and a secret ingredient, yup she added some Limoncello). But what made my ears perk up was when she mentioned to her husband that these were the strawberries from last year! What?

They were sweet and juicy and, well perfect. I loved the idea of having a winter fruit salad with some Summer Strawberries that I froze. And just think of all the other things you can do with them! So I asked her if she froze her strawberries the usual way?

by cleaning them
placing them on a cookie
and then freezing them before bagging them?

The best Strawberries to freeze

Of course it wasn’t, she would not go to all that trouble! 🙂 And naturally she proceeded to tell me the best and only way to Freeze Strawberries. And of course she said, don’t use the ones that just come out on the market wait until they are riper and cheaper!

The Best way to Freeze Strawberries

Clean and hull the Strawberries.
Chop or slice (depending how you like it).
Place the slices in a large bowl add a little sugar
and lemon juice and toss gently to combine.
Spoon into clean freezer safe jars (leave an inch from the top free).
Close the jars tightly and freeze.
Let the strawberries thaw before using. Now tell me they aren’t amazing!

My husband and I used to visit them more often when we first got married but with the arrival of kids things change and visits come few and far between. We had a great time sitting outside and I loved seeing her vegetable garden.

Listening to her tell me more ways to make this and that dish. And of course we always stay longer than we planned but that’s ok too!

Naturally we make plans to visit again soon, but until that time enjoy some sweet delicious Strawberries. And she also shared her secrets for Preserving Peaches too!

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