I you’ve ever wondered “hmm, can you freeze watermelon?“, you’re in the right place to find the answer. Watermelons, similarly to other fruit, once cut, won’t stay fresh in the fridge for a long time. That’s why people think about freezing watermelons, so they can use them a couple of weeks or even months later. That’s also the case if one would like to use this fruit when watermelon is not in season. Is that even possible and does it really make sense to freeze watermelon? Read on if you would like to know answers to those questions.
Freezing watermelon – important information
The first thing you need to know is that watermelon can be frozen, but it will become mushy when thawed. If you’ll decide to freeze this fruit, you need to be aware of that.
Is this a reason one should not freeze watermelons? It depends. If you would like to freeze it and thaw a couple of weeks down the road to eat it raw, it’s not a good idea. You won’t be satisfied with the texture of thawed watermelon. But, if you would like to use it as an ingredient in a prepared dish or drink (smoothie, sorbet), freezing isn’t a bad idea. Like many fruit, freezing and thawing changes the texture of watermelon, but it can be successfully used in a prepared dish or drink.
How to freeze watermelon
Freezing a watermelon requires some work. First off, you need to cut off the rind. Just to let you know, freezing a whole watermelon isn’t a good idea, believe me. Besides, it would take like half of your freezer. Next thing to do is to cut the watermelon into pieces. The size is up to you – some people tend to cut it into dice, others prefer thin slices. Now it’s time for the not-so-fun activity – removing the seeds. If you plan to get the frozen watermelon out of the freezer and add it right to a sorbet recipe, make sure you remove all of them. Please note that it’s easier to remove seeds from a sliced watermelon than from one cut in cubes or balls.
Ok, you’ve got a cut watermelon without the rind and seeds. Not it’s time for freezing it. Take a baking sheet and place the slices or cubes on it. Consider lining the baking sheet with parchment paper beforehand. Now put the baking sheet into the freezer for a few hours, so the pieces of watermelon will freeze. Once done, take the baking sheet out of the freezer and transfer frozen pieces into a freezer bag. Remove all air from the bag, seal it tightly and put the bag back into the freezer. Don’t forget to label it before doing that. Now you can keep it in the freezer for at least a couple of months. Don’t freeze watermelon for more than 10-12 months due to quality reasons.
Summary
As you should know by now, freezing and thawing a watermelon changes its texture. Because of that, frozen and thawed watermelon works best only in prepared dishes and drinks. If you would like to enjoy a piece of fresh watermelon when it’s not in season, not much you can do. Freezing for that purpose won’t give you the taste you’re looking for.