A delicious underrated fruit, cantaloupe can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or as an ingredient in a variety of dishes – but if you buy it in bulk, can you freeze cantaloupe?
For all you bulk buyers out there, you'll also want to know how freezing cantaloupe affects the taste and texture. Don't worry... we've got all the answers and some great hints and tips when it comes to storing this delicious fruit!
What are cantaloupes?
A large, round juicy summer fruit, cantaloupes are related to watermelons and honeydew melons. They are sometimes known as rockmelon or spanspek, and have a distinctive sweet flavor.
Perfect in salads, soups, smoothies and even in a savory sauce, cantaloupes are also the perfect summertime snack when cut into chunks and eaten on their own.
Cantaloups season is between June and August, when these delicious fruits are readily available and at the peak of their flavor. Around the winter months, cantaloupes are harder to find. If you can catch them, they'll be a lot more expensive.
Which is exactly why buying them in bulk during the summer is such a great idea.
So, Can You Freeze Cantaloupe?
Yes. Freezing cantaloupes is easy... it just takes a little preparation. Be sure to follow the step by step guide at the bottom of the page to properly freeze cantaloupe.
Can You Freeze Pureed Cantaloupe?
Freezing pureed cantaloupe is easy. While most people freeze cantaloupe in bite sized chunks, blending into a puree before you freeze it is possible.
Is Cantaloupe Good After Freezing?
Yes. Cantaloupe freezes really well and retains that delicious sweet fruity taste. You might notice a slight change in texture, but not too much.
How Long Can You Freeze Cantaloupe?
You can freeze cantaloupe for up to six months. Any longer than this, and it will start to lose its taste and texture.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Cantaloupe?
Allow it to defrost in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.
You don't necessarily need to defrost cantaloupe. Frozen cantaloupe is delicious and there are many uses for frozen cantaloupe, including adding to smoothies and making sorbet.
Do Frozen Cantaloupes Taste Good?
Absolutely! Slightly frosty cantaloupe tastes incredible... as good as if not better than fresh cantaloupe.
How do you Pick Fresh Cantaloupes?
Look for cantaloupes with light green lines on the outer skin. Avoid those with brown spots.
In terms of feel, a good cantaloupe should be firm with a little give, but not too soft.
Top Tip
There are a few golden rules when it comes to freezing cantaloupe to preserve that wonderful taste and texture:
- Always use fresh cantaloupe. A ripe cantaloupe is best – if the cantaloupe is overripe, it will lose its sweet flavor during the freezing process.
- Chop the cantaloupe into chunks.
- Freeze the cantaloupe in two stages – flash freezing it first, then placing the cantaloupe chunks in freezer bags. This prevents the pieces from sticking together, meaning you can use just the right amount of cantaloupe as and when you please.
How to use Frozen Cantaloupe
There are lots of ways you can use frozen cantaloupe. Here are just a few suggestions:
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Make a smoothie
Frozen cantaloupe cubes make for a delicious addition to a smoothie. They work far better than ice cubes, bringing a sweet fruity flavor.
Make cantaloupe sorbet
Use frozen cantaloupe to make a deliciously refreshing fruit sorbet. Place the chunks in a blender, whizz away, and voila! You'll have a quick and easy summer dessert. Season with sprigs of mint to add fragrance to the flavor.
Make a crumble
Add frozen cubed cantaloupe straight into a fruit mixture and heat it through to defrost it. Then you'll have an even more delicious fruit filling for your pie. I recommend adding it to an apple and rhubarb crumble or a rhubarb and pear crumble.
Add to a fruit salad
As far a quick and easy, healthy and refreshing dishes go, a fruit salad is hard to beat. The perfect pick-me-up at breakfast, brunch or – let's be honest – any time of day – a fruit salad is made all the better my delicious chunks of cantaloupe. Defrost first, and enjoy!
Add to cocktails in place of ice cubes
Oooh... now we're talking! Forget flavorless ice cubes, jazz up those cocktails with a frozen cantaloupe cube. Try them with long beach iced tea, long vodka or even a Christmas gin cocktail.
Popsicles
Freeze cantaloupe as puree, then pour into popsicle moulds. The perfect summer treat!
📖 Recipe
How To Freeze Cantaloupe
Do you have plenty of cantaloupe you don't know what to do with? Read on and learn how to freeze cantaloupe in a few easy steps!
Materials
- Airtight freezer containers
- Ziploc freezer bags
- Freezer labels
Tools
- Sharpie pen
Instructions
HOW TO FREEZE cantaloupe
- First, wash the cantaloupe thoroughly with cold water.
- Cut the cantaloupe in half. Remove the seeds using a melon baller.
- Using a sharp paring knife, carefully remove the rind of the cantaloupe.
- Chop the cantaloupe into bite-sized cubes.
- Place the chopped cantaloupe bits onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray.
- Place the baking tray into the freezer and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. This prevents the cantaloupe chunks from sticking together.
- Once frozen, place the cantaloupe pieces into a ziploc freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container.
- Add a pinch sugar into the bag or container and shake to distribute the sugar. This helps to preserve the sweetness during the freezing process.
- Label the freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container with the date and contents.
How to freeze pureed cantaloupe
- First, wash the cantaloupe thoroughly with cold water.
- Cut the cantaloupe in half. Remove the seeds using a melon baller.
- Using a sharp paring knife, carefully remove the rind of the cantaloupe.
- Chop the cantaloupe into bite-sized cubes.
- Place the cantaloupe pieces into a blended or food processor.
- Pour the pureed cantaloupe into ice cube trays.
- Once frozen, place the cantaloupe filled ice cube trays into a ziploc freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container.
- Label the freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container with the date and contents.
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