Related: How to Cut Watermelon. After cutting the fruit, arrange it in a single layer on a parchment-paper—lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solid. Once frozen, watermelon should be moved to freezer bags for longer-term storage.
Taking this extra step will allow you to grab exactly what you need from the freezer rather than a massive chunk of melon. As always, label and date your freezer bags. Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months, which will just about take you to summer, when it's in season again.
The best way to thaw watermelon is in the refrigerator, but depending on how you plan to use it, you may want to only defrost it partially or maybe not at all. As watermelon thaws, it will have a more pureed consistency, which is why previously frozen watermelon doesn't make good fruit salads. If you want to snack on chunks, only thaw watermelon partially so it stays firm.
Partially frozen watermelon is also ideal for frozen blender drinks, as well as frozen desserts and treats. You can also use frozen cubes and balls of watermelon as fruity ice in drinks, but you'll want to use those straight from the freezer. Chunks of watermelon can be frozen with other fruit if you plan to blend them together to make smoothies, or combined with other fruit and fruit juices to make popsicles.
Another option is to freeze watermelon juice. Simply blend chunks of watermelon no seeds, of course in a blender and place in an airtight container, leaving an inch or so of space at the top for expansion.
Watermelon slices and wedges can be frozen, but they tend to take up a lot of space. Watermelon juice or puree can also be frozen in a container or as ice cubes. Blend and strain the fruit before freezing it. Method 2. Spread the watermelon pieces over a baking sheet.
Place a piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent the watermelon from sticking to it. Keep the pieces in a single layer, making sure that none of them are touching. If any of the watermelon pieces touch, they may freeze together, making them harder to pack now and defrost later.
Freeze the watermelon for 2 hours until the pieces are firm to the touch. Move the baking tray to the freezer and set a timer. If you are able to press into them with your fingers, give them more time to freeze through. Usually the heat from your hands is enough, but letting them sit outside the freezer for a minute can help loosen them.
Transfer the pieces to labeled, freezer-safe containers. Move all of the pieces into a plastic bag or resealable container. Without that additional space, the container may burst open as the watermelon expands. You can write the date directly on bags with a black marker.
For containers, try using stickers as labels. Freeze the watermelon pieces for up to 12 months. However, the fruit will degrade in quality as early as 10 months into storage. It is best used as a liquid ingredient in smoothies and other recipes. Defrost the watermelon pieces in the refrigerator before using them. Let the pieces soften again, then add them to your dish. You can often use them before they unfreeze completely, especially if you plan on turning them into a liquid such as for a smoothie.
Defrosted watermelon will last about 4 days in the refrigerator. Throw it out if it gets too soft, has green spots from mold, or begins smelling rancid.
Method 3. Add sugar to the cut-up watermelon pieces. Wash and cut the watermelon as you normally would, then transfer it to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle about 1 lb 0. The sugar preserves some of the sweetness lost during normal freezing.
Pack the watermelon in freezer-safe containers. Once the watermelon pieces are well-coated in sugar, move them all into plastic bags or resealable containers. Label containers with the current date before sticking them in the freezer. Freeze the watermelon for up to 12 months. The watermelon will last indefinitely but lose quality between 10 to 12 months. Thaw the watermelon pieces in the refrigerator before using them. Transfer the containers to the refrigerator and wait about 30 minutes for the pieces to soften.
The pieces will be softer than fresh watermelon when they thaw. You can eat them as is, but they are best used in smoothies and other drinks.
You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Method 4. Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat on the stove.
Stir it occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves. Another option is to use fruit juice. Always be sure to first remove the seeds from the fruit. The seeds will become annoying pebbles frozen into the fruit, and trust us when we say it's much harder to get the seeds out when the fruit is frozen. If you plan to eat the watermelon as a semi frozen treat , then cut it into clean cubes or balls that will be easy to snack on.
If you plan to use the watermelon for smoothies or other blended beverages, you can be far less fastidious in your preparations—simple cut the pieces into irregular shapes that will easily fit into your blender or food processor. Place the prepared fruit on a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet in the freezer. This oval-shaped fruit comes in a large size, so it takes up a lot of space to refrigerate an uncut fruit.
Refrigerating a whole fruit is not really a good idea, but it stretches the shelf life up to 5 more days. Once cut and chilled, the lifespan is shortened to 3 to 4 days. Luckily, freezing watermelons improves their shelf life significantly up to 10 to 12 months. Surely you can freeze enough to last until the next season. Freezing watermelon is easy and takes less than 15 minutes. The procedures are similar to freezing cantaloupe. You can freeze it on its own or in a syrup pack.
Either way, we need to pick a fresh, fully ripe watermelon for freezing. A good candidate should feel heavy for its size and has solid rinds. The flesh is firm and juicy with bright color—not pale. When it comes to variety, it is all up to you. But, we need to remove all the seeds. Cut the flesh into big chunks, thinner slices, bite-size cubes, small balls, popsicles, or any shapes to your liking. For popsicles, cut into a triangle and slide a stick halfway through the slice. You can also puree watermelon and freeze it in ice cube trays.
Lay the prepped watermelon in a single layer.
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