Fresh, juicy
oranges aren't the most perishable of fruit, but they can begin to lose some of
their charm in as little as a week. If you've invested in a large quantity of
the fruit, or have the good fortune to enjoy a backyard orange tree, that might
sometimes mean you've got more than you can conveniently use while they're
still at their best. They can be canned, dried or turned into jam, but you may
not know that freezing an orange is a better way to preserve their fresh
flavor.
Freezing Preparation
Wash your hands,
utensils and work surfaces scrupulously before you start, to minimize the risk
of cross-contamination. Oranges aren't prone to carrying bacteria, but once cut
-- like other foods -- are susceptible to infection from outside.
Wash the oranges
carefully under cold running water, using no soap or bleach. Dry them carefully
with fresh paper towels and lay them on a clean cutting board.
Peel the oranges
and separate them into segments, or slice them crosswise into rounds. For a
finished, professional appearance, cut the peel and outer membrane from the
oranges with a sharp knife to reveal the colorful flesh. Cut away the segments
from their membranes, leaving the membrane-free flesh -- called "supremes"
by chefs -- cleaned and ready to use.
Dry Packing
Count enough
freezer-safe canning jars or food-grade plastic containers to hold your
oranges. Wash and rinse them in plenty of hot, soapy water, then dry them with
clean paper towels.
Pack the orange
segments or slices tightly into each container, arranging them carefully to
exclude as much air as possible. The less oxygen can reach the segments, the
longer they'll retain their quality.
Seal the jars or
containers, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace to allow for the oranges to expand as
they freeze.
Arrange the jars
or containers in a single layer, distributing them evenly around your freezer.
This speeds the freezing process, helping maintain the oranges' texture and quality.
Syrup Style
Prepare a heavy,
canning-style syrup by boiling 2 parts sugar to 3 parts water, by volume. The
syrup should be at refrigerator temperature when you use it, to speed freezing,
so do this step ahead of time. Pack your orange slices or segments into
freezer-safe canning jars or food-safe plastic containers.
Pour cold syrup
over the oranges until they're submerged, leaving 1/2 to 3/4 inch of headspace
to allow for expansion when they're frozen. Add crumpled wax paper to the top
of the jar to submerge the oranges and seal the container.
Arrange the jars
or containers in your freezer, leaving plenty of space between them where air
can circulate and chill the contents quickly.
If you are looking
for the perfect wholesome gift for a business associates, family or friends? A
quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift
giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus
you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E”
Street
Porterville,
CA 93257
559-561-3391
