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Freezing pears for baby food


Easy Pear Puree (Plus Flavor Combos and Freezing Tips)

Learn how to make the EASIEST Pear Puree for your baby or toddler with a super simple method and the best flavor. Plus easy flavor combinations and freezing tips!

Pear Puree

I love making simple baby foods with basic kitchen tools I already have and fresh produce. This puree recipe is so easy and so delicious that every time I made it for my third kiddo, his older sisters wanted some too! It’s delicious when pears are at their peak in North America in late summer and in fall, though you can make it any time of the year with ripe pears.

Is Pear Puree good for babies?

Pear Puree is a simple baby food that has fresh flavor, as well as fiber that can be helpful for little digestive systems. It’s a healthy early food that babies and toddlers can continue to enjoy as they grow. You can serve it with a spoon or in a reusable pouch like a Squeasy Gear.

Ingredients You Need

To make this simple recipe, all you need is pears. This is best when the pears are just ripe and give a little to the touch and are fragrant. I like using Bartlett pears best, though any kind will work. You may want to peel them first if using a pear with a thicker skin such as Bosc to ensure a smooth final texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.

  1. Dice the pears, leaving the skin on and discarding the core.
  2. Add to a pot with water.
  3. Cook until soft.
  4. Blend until smooth.

TIP: You can make this puree thinner or thicker, depending on the age of your baby and the amount of water you add. You could even leave it a little chunkier to make a Stage 2 baby food if desired.

How do you steam pears for babies?

To make this recipe with a steamer, simply place the diced pears into a steamer basket fitted inside of a medium pot filled with 2 inches of water. Bring water to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and cook for the same amount of time. Use some of the cooking water to help blend the pears.

How to Store Pear Puree

You can store the final puree in small airtight containers in the fridge or freeze into small portions to have later. The batch is a nice size so you can have a few portions for this week and a few to freeze for a future week if you’d like. (But not so much that you’ll never use it all!)

Why did my Pear Puree turn brown?

Pears are one of the fruits that oxidize when the skin is broken and oxygen meets the surface of the flesh. This can cause them to turn brown. But in making this puree, I leave the skins on, which helps blend the final puree into a light and pale color. If you’re at all worried about the color if your puree, you can add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.

Can you freeze Pear Puree?

It’s so easy to freeze Pear Puree that I almost always freeze some of each batch that I make for future easy meal components. I like to spoon some of the puree into a silicone ice cube tray, freeze, then transfer the cubes to zip top freezer bags for longer term storage. Find all of my baby food storage tips here.

Tips for Making the Best Pear Puree

  • To store in the fridge: Let cool and portion out into small airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze: Portion into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Transfer to a zip top freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.
  • Any kind of pear will work, though ripe pears that give just slightly to the touch is best.
  • If you use brown Bosc pears, peel them before cooking as the skin tends to be tougher and may not blend totally smooth.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger for additional flavor.
  • Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter for richness and fat.
  • I haven’t had my Pear Puree turn brown, but if you’re at all worried, you can add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
  • Blend with Peanut Butter Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Bean Puree, Avocado Puree, Banana Puree, or any other homemade baby food you like for additional combinations.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it for your family, so please comment below. I love hearing how things go in your kitchens so thank you in advance!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 17 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 61kcal

Servings 6

  • ▢ 4 cups diced ripe pears

  • Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the pears and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pears are very soft when poked with a knife.

  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer pears to a blender. Add ½ cup of the cooking water to the blender and blend, starting on low and working up to high, until very smooth. If the puree is thicker than desired, add a bit more water.

  • Let cool and serve or store for future meals.

  • Vitamix Blender

  • Silicone Ice Cube Tray

  • Reusable Pouch

  • To store in the fridge: Let cool and portion out into small airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze: Portion into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Transfer to a zip top freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.
  • Any kind of pear will work, though ripe pears that give just slightly to the touch is best.
  • If you use brown Bosc pears, peel them before cooking as the skin tends to be tougher and may not blend totally smooth.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger for additional flavor.
  • Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter for richness and fat.
  • I haven't had my Pear Puree turn brown, but if you're at all worried, you can add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
  • To make this recipe with a steamer, simply place the diced pears into a steamer basket fitted inside of a medium pot filled with 2 inches of water. Bring water to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and cook for the same amount of time. Use some of the cooking water to help blend the pears.

Blend with Peanut Butter Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Bean Puree, Avocado Puree, Banana Puree, or any other homemade baby food you like for additional combinations.

Calories: 61kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 125mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 27IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

How to Freeze Fresh Pears

Freezing pears sounds so easy: Just slice 'em, pop 'em in the freezer and reward yourself with Ree Drummond's Pear Clafouti any time of year, right? If only that were the case! Find out how to freeze pears the right way—otherwise your ripe pears will turn to brown mush!

Pears have a relatively short growing season that begins in August and ends in October. You can usually get pears year-round, but like apples, pears are best when they're at their peak. They're super versatile: Pair them with cheese, like for these Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini, turn them into amazing desserts, like Ree's Pear Crisp, or simply eat them out of hand!

If you want to freeze pears simply for smoothies or sauces, go ahead and just cut up the pears and freeze them. But for any frozen goals beyond that, whether you're making an upside-down cake or adding pears to a fruit salad, you need to know how to freeze pears so they don't brown and soften when thawed—read on for instructions, plus some helpful tips and tricks.

What kind of pear is best for freezing?

Any variety of pear can be frozen, but stick with pears that are ripe. Test for ripeness by pressing gently near the top of the "neck." If it gives, it’s ready for freezing—or eating!

Should you peel pears before freezing?


It's up to you. Just keep in mind that the amount of fiber in a pear doubles when you leave the peel on—the peel houses most of the fruit’s beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. If you're making a smoothie or puree, you can freeze pears with the peel on—it won’t detract from the texture or appearance. But for some baking recipes, you may want to peel the pears first.

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Should you slice pears before freezing?


Think about how you’ll use the pears: Halved for poaching? Chopped for muffins? Or maybe sliced for a pie? It's smart to plan ahead before you freeze your pears, especially if you plan to add them to a recipe straight from the freezer. You don't want to freeze whole pears, so you'll need to slice them in some way—it just depends on your end game. Remember to factor in logistics like freezer space, too—though halved pears are great for poaching, they’re bulky to store, whereas sliced pears make the most of any storage space, particularly if you stack them flat in freezer bags.

What’s the best way to freeze pears?

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There are two methods you can try:

Salt-Water Method: This involves putting sliced pears in a bowl of salt water before freezing. The salt water eliminates the need for a discoloration agent (like lemon juice or a citric acid compound like Fruit Fresh), and the pears maintain their structural integrity during freezing and thawing. To start, fill a large bowl with ice water, then sprinkle in enough table salt to cover the bottom of the bowl. Peel and prep the pears, dropping them into the salt water as you go. Once finished, drain the pears and rinse thoroughly under cool water. (You won’t taste the salt!) Arrange in an even layer on lined baking sheets, leaving enough room for cold air to circulate, then freeze until firm; transfer the frozen pears to freezer bags for longer storage. This method is best if you're using your pears for baking and cooking.

The Pioneer Woman 20-Piece Assorted Food Storage Set

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Syrup-Packed Method: Though not as convenient as a simple sodium rinse, packing pears in syrup preserves the pear, leaving you with an end product that can be used uncooked—perfect for salads or as a garnish. To pack pears in syrup, first prepare a syrup of sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves (use 2 to 4 cups sugar for every 4 cups water). Bring the syrup to a simmer, add the pears and cook for about 2 minutes, then let cool. Pack the fruit in freezer-safe bags or containers, using about ½ cup cooled syrup for each pint of fruit. Pack flat in bags to coat the fruit in syrup. If using containers, leave room for headspace, and use a piece of crumbled parchment or wax paper to keep the pears submerged.

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How to freeze pears | Menu of the week

Pears, like many other fruits and berries, are excellent for freezing. If you love pies, pies, pear desserts, etc., then feel free to freeze these juicy and sweet fruits to enjoy your favorite taste all year round!

It is advisable to take seasonal pears for freezing, during the period of mass harvest. There are also winter varieties of pears that are sold in late autumn or early winter - they can also be used for freezing. The fruits must be elastic, whole, without dents and spoilage. If softer specimens come across, then they can be used for making and freezing mashed potatoes.

Wash the pears well to remove dust or dirt. Wipe dry with a kitchen towel.

Peel with a knife or vegetable peeler.

The pears can then be cut into slices, cubes, straws, etc. and freeze.

Freezing pear wedges

Cut the peeled pears into slices of the required thickness.

If the cut of the pear darkens quickly when cutting, then you can take half a lemon and rub each slice of pear with a lemon cut - this will prevent the fruit from browning. It is also convenient to squeeze the lemon juice into a cup and brush the pear slices with a pastry brush.

Wrap the cutting board with cling film. Then put the slices of pears in one layer so that they do not touch each other. You can use parchment paper instead of cling film.

Send the pear board to the freezer for two to three hours at -18 degrees or colder.

During this time, the pear slices will freeze well, will be easily separated from the film or parchment paper, they can be folded into a container or bag for storage.

It is easy to remove air from the bag, for example, using a straw for drinks (more details here).

If you do not freeze the pears first, but put them immediately into a bag, then they will stick together in one lump, after defrosting the slices will lose their shape and such a blank will only fit for making stuffing in pies.

Pear slices can be used to make pies, casseroles, desserts, etc. Frozen pear slices can be laid out frozen on the dough, but you should slightly increase the baking time so that the pears have time to defrost and cook evenly with the dough.

Freeze pears in cubes

Pear cubes are frozen in the same way. That is, first the pears must be cut into cubes and lightly sprinkled with lemon juice so that they do not darken.

Lay them out on a board with cling film or parchment paper.

Freeze in the freezer for two to three hours at -18 degrees.

Remove the cubes from the film, place in a bag or container. Remove air from the bag.

It is not necessary to defrost pear slices for making cakes and muffins. Can be added to the dough in frozen form, increasing the baking time by a few minutes. To prevent pastries with frozen pear cubes from turning out wet, they can be lightly sprinkled with starch, and only then added to the dough.

Freeze pear cubes with sugar

Diced pears can also be frozen with sugar in a container or bag. It is convenient to use such a blank for making fillings in pies or pies, cooking compote or jelly. Be sure to indicate on the label that this blank is with sugar in order to take into account its presence in the future when cooking.

Freeze pear puree

Peeled pears cut into cubes, put in a saucepan, add 1 tbsp. water and 1 tablespoon of sugar per 250 g of pears. Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the pears are soft, turn off the heat and puree with a blender.

Put the ready-cooled puree into jars, disposable cups, small containers. Be sure to leave some room for expansion while freezing. Then carefully wrap the container with pear puree with cling film, close the lid or pack it in bags and send it to the freezer for storage.

It is also convenient to freeze puree in molds that are designed for making ice cubes.

First you need to freeze the pear puree well in the mold itself (approximately three to four hours at -18 degrees), and then take them out of the mold (by turning the mold upside down and knocking it on the countertop or board or prying the cubes with a knife).

The resulting frozen pear puree cubes can be put into a container or bag (releasing the air) and sent to the freezer for storage.

Don't forget to attach the expiration date labels to all blanks!

Pear puree can be added to pies, smoothies, shakes, porridge, pie filling, cream, ice cream, etc.

Shelf life:

Cubes and slices of pears can be stored for 10-12 months, and puree is desirable to use within 6-7 months at -18 degrees.

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Author: Yulia Akhanova

Freezing pears for the winter at home

Contents

  • 1 Is it possible to freeze pears
    • 1.1 How to freeze pears for the winter so that they do not darken
    • 1.2 At what temperature to freeze
  • 2 How to freeze a pear for the winter fresh
  • 3 recipe of pears frozen in sugar syrup
  • 4 How to freeze pears with slices
  • 5 frozen pears per winter with sugar
  • 6 What can be made from frozen pears
  • 7 Shelf life of frozen pears
  • 8 Conclusion

Freezing pears for the winter at home is a traditional occupation of Russian housewives who are used to stocking up for future use. In the summer season, the body accumulates vitamins by "preserving" in the fat layer of the body. But in winter, sometimes you really want to treat yourself and your family not only with vitamins, but also with delicious products made from fruits and berries. To do this, there are many recipes for freezing food in the freezer. They are used in cooking in winter and spring, when the body needs vitamins.

Is it possible to freeze pears?

Tip! For freezing pears, it is better to use winter varieties, August and September. They are not "beaten" by the scorching sun and retain dense flesh.

For the preparation of pears in reserve, preference should be given to varieties:

  • Severyanka;
  • August dew;
  • Cathedral;
  • Saratovka;
  • Kondratievka;
  • Rossoshanskaya;
  • Gera;
  • Veles;
  • Red-sided;
  • Muscovite.

These species belong to the winter variety or late summer variety, they are distinguished by their density and smooth skin, without scales. Softer types are only suitable for making purees, jams and marmalades. They can be used, but be aware that they will deform when thawed.

How to freeze pears for the winter so that they do not darken

Pears, like other catechin-containing fruits, begin to darken when exposed to oxygen, acquiring an unappetizing appearance resembling rot. How to avoid browning reaction when cooking pears? The secret lies in citric acid. When preparing fruits, cutting into slices or whipping with a blender, fruits should be sprayed with citric acid diluted with water from a spray bottle.

The second way is to soak them in a solution containing citric acid for an hour. This will slow down the reaction of catechins during preparation and freezing. If you use slices, then they can be grated with lemon, orange, tangerine or other citrus fruits. When sour fruits are not available, ascorbic acid can be added as an alternative.

At what temperature to freeze

Observing a strict temperature regime, you can freeze pears for the winter. Storage in the refrigerator, where the temperature does not fall below +2 degrees - is impossible. The product must be frozen quickly, for this they use a freezer or a refrigerated island that can hold a lot of fruits and vegetables at once. Fruits should be frozen at a temperature of at least -18 degrees.

How to freeze a fresh pear for the winter

In order for the products to remain fresh and retain their taste during defrosting, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of fruits. Fruits should be chosen whole, without holes from insects and rotten sides. Then follow this order:

  1. Rinse under running water and dry on a towel. They must be dry so as not to freeze water together with the fruits.
  2. Next, peel the fruit and cut into slices, cubes, strips or 4 pieces.
  3. Cut out core and problem areas.
  4. Place on a flat dish, brush with citric acid and freeze for 2 hours.
  5. After the first freezing, put the pieces in a special bag with a zipper, squeeze out the air and continue to store in the freezer for no more than 10 months.

Product will survive freezing.

Recipe for pears frozen in sugar syrup

Sugar is a natural preservative that preserves the beneficial properties of fruits for a long time. To prepare pears in syrup:

  • mix a glass of sugar and 500 ml of boiling water;
  • prepare the pears, put them in a deep container; Pour
  • with hot syrup and leave to blanch for 3 minutes;
  • remove the pears with a slotted spoon and place in freezer containers;
  • pour over the syrup, lightly covering the fruit;
  • let cool until cold; Place
  • in the freezer to freeze.

The product can be used for cooking during the entire shelf life.

How to freeze pears in slices

You can freeze pears for the winter by placing them in ice molds or dicing them. In the first option, you need to beat them to a puree state and put them in molds or jars from baby food. You can cut the fruit into two parts, cutting out the core and add berries to the resulting recess.

Attention! A pear for the winter in the freezer should not be adjacent to meat, fish and other products that emit a smell. It is better to store fruits in plastic containers, this will protect them.

Freezing pears for the winter with sugar

Freezing pears for the winter with sugar is as easy as in syrup. Pour in plenty of sugar. Having cut the fruit beautifully, you should wet them, but do not dry them, as in the usual way. On wet slices, sugar will stick better, and will not crumble to the bottom of the dish.

Freeze the pears. At this point, pour in the first layer of sugar. First on a flat dish, and then on top of the slices. In this form, they will stand in the freezer for 2 hours. Remove the pears and place them in the final bowl or in a freezer bag. Sprinkle the fruit again with sugar. Shaking is not necessary so as not to damage the pieces.

What can be prepared from frozen pears

Dishes such as charlotte, pear puree, compotes can be prepared from thawed fruits. They are added to pies, rolls, dumplings, puffs. For compotes and pies, you should not wait for a slow defrosting, you can throw them in frozen pieces directly into boiling water and dough.

According to culinary experts, by freezing pears for the winter, you can cook a delicious dish - a pear shifter cooked with honey. The product should be baked like a regular pie with sugar, flour and eggs, only you need to add honey to the filling. Put the dough on the spread out pears and bake until done.

Shelf life of frozen pears

Pears can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 months in complete safety, if temperature fluctuations are not allowed during storage. When thawing, follow the rules of slow defrosting. Do not pour boiling water over fruit or dip in warm water to speed up the process.

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