Figs are a great addition to any kitchen. They’re sweet and juicy, but they also go well with savory dishes. They can be used in a variety of ways, whether you like them served fresh or dried. If you have more figs than you can use at one time, consider freezing them for later use.
Figs are a delicious and healthy snack that can be enjoyed year-round. However, there are specific steps you should take when storing them in your freezer to get the best results. Figs can be stored in the freezer for up to one year if they are properly packaged and wrapped. They can also be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks, but they will lose some of their flavors after this time period.
To store figs in the freezer, wash them thoroughly with warm water before placing them in a plastic bag or container. Do not use any detergents on your figs because this could damage their skin and make them turn mushy when thawed out later on down the road. Once cleaned off well (you don’t want any dirt or debris left behind), place each individual fruit into its own container so that it won’t roll around during transport from one place to another (this includes home storage locations such as pantries).
Do not wash them until you are ready to use them.
Figs should be washed just before being used. This will help prevent the fruit from spoiling, but it can also make them soft and mushy, so wait until you are ready to use them before washing them. If you have an abundance of figs that need to be stored in the freezer, you can wash the figs right before using them so they don’t go bad while waiting to be eaten. You may also choose to leave them unwashed and only wipe them off with a damp cloth if they are still firm enough not to get damaged by this method.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Wax paper will keep the figs from sticking to the pan, while parchment paper can be used as well. The only difference is that parchment paper requires more effort when it comes time to clean up.
-Place the figs on the pan. You want to make sure each fig is laying flat on its side so that it can dry evenlyIf you choose to wash your figs, place them in a large bowl and fill it with water. Swish the figs around in the water to get rid of any dirt or debris that may be stuck on them. Drain off the dirty water, then rinse the figs again under running water until they are clean.
Put the figs on the cookie sheet.
If you’ve never frozen figs before, you may be wondering how to prepare them for the freezer. The process is simple and straightforward—but it’s vital that they are handled carefully throughout the process. Figs are delicate, so they need to be handled with care at all times.
When storing figs, there are two options: freezing whole or halved. If you choose to freeze your figs whole, simply place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid (this will take about 24 hours). Alternatively, if you want smaller pieces of fruit for snacking or baking purposes that can be easily thawed when needed, slice each one in half before placing on the same cookie sheet as above. They should freeze individually within 12 hours or so (or sooner if left at room temperature until fully frozen).
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer.
- Place the cookie sheet in the freezer.
- Make sure that you cover the cookie sheet with wax paper so that your figs don’t stick to it.
- Spread out your figs on the cookie sheet evenly, without them touching each other or anything else on your countertop (you might even want to designate another surface for this purpose).
Place the cookie sheet in the freezer and allow your figs to freeze completely. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or plastic baggie and store them in your freezer until you’re ready to use them.
When they are frozen remove them from the cookie sheet and put them in a plastic freezer bag.
- When they are frozen remove them from the cookie sheet and put them in a plastic freezer bag.
- Label and date the bag with their name, the date of freezing, and how many figs are in each bag.
- Return to the freezer until you want to cook with them. Do not wash until ready for use.
Label and date the bag.
It is essential to label the bag with the date of freezing. This will help you keep track of when your figs were placed in the freezer and will allow you to determine if they are still good to eat. If you don’t know when they were purchased, use the oldest date on the package as a guide instead. Make sure that this date is at least as far into your future as their expiration date would be (the “Best By” or “Use By” date). This can help make sure that they stay edible for as long as possible.
When you are ready to cook, thaw the figs in the refrigerator overnight. When they are thawed out, wash them off with cold water and pat them dry.
Return to the freezer until you want to cook with them.
- Return the figs to the freezer. The figs should be stored in an airtight container.
- Figs will stay good in the freezer for up to one year at 0°F (-17°C).
- To thaw, place the frozen figs on a plate or baking sheet and let them sit at room temperature until they are soft enough to eat; this usually takes about 20 minutes.
The next step is to remove as much air from the bag as possible. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep your figs safe from getting damaged while they wait to be eaten. To do this, use a straw or a vacuum sealer to suck out the air in small amounts at a timeIf you don’t have time to thaw your figs, you can place them in a bowl of warm water for about 15 minutes.
You can freeze figs for later use by freezing them in their own juices
Since they’re rich in flavor and nutrition, figs are a great way to add some color and taste to your dishes.
Freezing figs is an easy way to keep them fresh for months after they’ve been picked.
It’s important that you freeze the figs whole, since breaking them up into pieces could allow freezer burn or other damage that would make them unappetizing when cooked.
When you’re ready to use frozen figs, be sure not to thaw them completely before adding them into your dish; instead, take out as many as needed from the freezer and allow them enough time at room temperature so that they’re still partially frozen but not rock solid when tossed into whatever you’re cooking up on the stovetop.
In Conclusion
The key to freezing figs is to give them room to freeze. If you don’t have enough space in your freezer, then line a cookie sheet with wax paper and put them on there. This will keep them from sticking together and it also makes it easier for you when you take them out later.