If you have ever wanted to preserve that delicious taste of early summer, try freezing strawberries. Frozen strawberries are not only a healthy and delicious snack, they are easy to prepare and store. There are various methods, some letting you keep the strawberries longer than others; select the one that fits in best with your needs.

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[edit] Ingredients

Strawberries (amount of choice) - not too hard, not too soft - avoid any with discoloration or moldy spots
Water or syrup or fine sugar or lemonade

[edit] Steps

Freeze the strawberries whole. Wash and hull the strawberries, leaving them intact. Pack into plastic containers or into plastic bags. Using this method, the strawberries can be frozen for 2 months. If you like, cut the green leaves off, along with a little of the top, leaving enough so that they can stand on the top as a base.
- Another method is to use a cookie sheet and line it with waxed paper or paper towels. Stand the strawberries on their bases on the cookie tray, making sure that they don't touch. Put the strawberries in the freezer. Wait until they are frozen, then remove from the cookie tray and place in ziplock baggies to store.
Freeze in a light syrup. Boil together 1 part sugar to 4 parts water to make the syrup. Place the washed, hulled and drained strawberries into a plastic container and pour the syrup over the strawberries. Using this method, the strawberries can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Freeze sugared strawberries. Wash, hull and drain the strawberries. Sprinkle with fine sugar (e.g., caster sugar) and pack into plastic containers or bags. Using this method, the strawberries can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Freeze puréed strawberries. Wash and hull the strawberries. Purée using blender or mashing device. Pour the purée into plastic containers or individual ice-cube tray squares. Using this method, the purée can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Freeze strawberries in ice cubes. Wash and hull each strawberry. Place a strawberry in each square of an ice cube tray and fill with water. If you choose this method, make sure to select strawberries that fit the tray squares easily. Ideal for adding to drinks on hot days. Using this method, the strawberries can be frozen for up to 2 months.

[edit] Tips

Make sure the strawberries are mostly dry before freezing them, or the water will freeze on them and make them hard to eat.
You can serve frozen strawberries straight out of the freezer or partially thawed.
When thawed, the strawberries can be used for making jam, as an addition to fruit salads or dessert sauces. They can also be used for making cakes and cheesecakes. Sorbets and ice cream make another great use and you may not even need to thaw them (follow the recipe instructions).
Frozen strawberries make a great addition to smoothies, too.
An alternative method for the ice cubes is to use commercial lemonade in place of water and give as sweet treats to children at a party. Do not use this method as a regular treat, however, as the lemonade is not healthy for growing teeth. If you want a healthier ice cream version, use puréed strawberries and bananas and freeze in an ice lolly/icy pole mold.
If you will be storing the frozen berries for a long time, make sure to remove as much air as possible from the baggies and seal them thoroughly. This will help to prevent freezer burn and keep the berries fresh.
You may wish to cut the strawberries into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This can be done before freezing to lessen the freezing time needed, or after they come out of the freezer.

[edit] Warnings

Strawberries bruise easily; always wash gently either by placing the strawberries in a colander and dipping in water gently or using a soft faucet/tap spray.