Do you want to know if you can freeze cantaloupe?
We will answer that question in this short guide, along with some information you will find to be useful.
So, let’s get started.
Can You Freeze Cantaloupe & Should You Be Doing This?
Quick Answer: Yes, you can freeze cantaloupe and when packaged properly it can last a long time.
Frozen cantaloupe can be stored in the freezer for 10-12 months, before its quality begins to degrade.
Why Freezing Cantaloupe is a Good Idea?
Cantaloupe is frozen for a variety of reasons.
- Smoothie
- Excess
- Out of Season
Smoothie: If you make a lot of smoothies and use cantaloupes, then freezing them is a must.
Frozen fruit are perfect for smoothies, as there is no need for ice.
Prevent spoilage: If you have a lot of cantaloupe and they are at risk of spoiling, you can always freeze them.
Instead of the fruit going to waste, store them in the freezer and pop them out when you are ready to use them.
Out of Season: If you live in an area where the fruit goes out of season, you can always freeze the cantaloupe, so that you always have some on hand throughout the year.
Related: How to Freeze Watermelons
How to Freeze Cantaloupe: A Step-by-Step Guide
The freezing of cantaloupe is quite simple process.
When prepping it for the freezer, you can store it either as:
- Halves or pieces
- Puree or mash
We examine each storage option below.
Freezing Halves or Pieces
Freezing cantaloupe in halves or pieces is the recommended method.
You can pull out chunks or a half when needed (like doing smoothies).
Instructions
- Cut the cantaloupe in half. Scoop the seeds out and peel it.
- You will either cut into smaller chunks or in keep the halves (depends on how you want to store it).
- Wrap the cut cantaloupe with plastic wrap. Ensure it is fully covered.
- Place in a freezer safe bag or container. It’s important to squeeze as much air as possible from the bag. This is to prevent possible freezer burn.
- Label and date the bag or container before putting in the freezer.
Freezing Purée or Mash
You can also freeze cantaloupe as a puree or mash.
- Cut the cantaloupe in half. Scoop the seeds out and peel it.
- Mash or purée the cantaloupe using a food processor are by hand.
- Scoop the purée or mash into a freezer safe container/bag or ice tray.
- Placed in an ice tray, wait until the purée/mash frozen, then remove and place in a freezer safe container or bag.
- Label and date the bag or container. This lets you know how long the fruit has been in the freezer.
How to Thaw Frozen Cantaloupe
When you are ready to use your frozen cantaloupe, you can use two methods to defrost it:
- Overnight in the refrigerator
- Let it sit at room temperature
Overnight in the Refrigerator: Here, you will remove the cantaloupe from the freezer and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning it should be fully thawed and ready to be used.
Let it sit at room temperature: You can take the frozen cantaloupe out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature.
It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to defrost, depending on how much fruit you have.
Wrapping it up
So. That’s it for my guide on how to freeze cantaloupe.
If you found this information helpful, share it with your friends or let me know in the comments.
I am interested in knowing what you will be doing with your frozen cantaloupe.
