Melon makes a delicious snack, but it can also be used in salads such as a watermelon, basil, and feta salad. Honeydew melon makes a great appetizer served with parma ham or prosciutto. Watermelon and tomato gazpacho is also a delicious appetizer or make a bitter melon and black bean sauce for beef. It can be part of a fruit salad or made into a sorbet, smoothie, juice, or cocktail (see also Can You Freeze Grapefruit?).
However, it is seasonal so how can you enjoy melon when it isn’t in season? The answer is simple. Freeze it. It freezes well and you can freeze it either in chunks or slices or as a puree.
How To Freeze Chunks of Melons
Chunks or cubes are useful if you want to use your melon in juices, smoothies, or sorbets. You can just take out as many chunks as you need and put them straight in the blender. This is the way to freeze melon in chunks:
1. Wash and dry the melon.
Make sure that you dry the melon completely as you don’t want ice crystals to form on the melon as this can ruin the texture. In addition, remove the seeds from the melon.
2. Cut the melon into chunks about the size of an ice cube.
3. Flash freeze the melon chunks.
Put a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray and place the chunks of melon on it. Make sure that they aren’t touching each other. This will stop them from sticking to each other when they are bagged up. When you have done this, put the tray in the freezer and freeze the melon for six to seven hours.
4. Put the melon chunks in a freezer bag or airtight container.
If you are using a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. This will ruin the taste, texture, and color of your melon. To be completely sure that your chunks of melon don’t stick together, use a container and place the melon chunks inside without them touching. You can then place a sheet of parchment paper on top of them and add another layer of melon chunks. Put a label on the bag or container with the date frozen so that you know when you put it in the freezer. You don’t want to keep it in the freezer for longer than you should.
5. Put the container or bag in the freezer.
How To Freeze Slices of Melon
If you intend to use your melon in a salad or dessert, you might want to freeze your melon in slices, and if so, follow these steps.
1. Wash and dry the melon.
Remember to take out the seeds.
2. Slice the melon.
Slice the melon into triangles or whatever shape you prefer. You can leave the skin on if you wish.
3. Flash freeze the melon.
Place the slices of melon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the slices aren’t touching so that they don’t stick together when they are bagged up. Freeze the melon slices for around six hours.
4. Put the melon slices in a freezer bag or airtight container.
If you put them in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. You can layer the slices in a container with a sheet of parchment paper in between each layer. Put a label on the bag or container with the date you put it in the freezer.
5. Put the bag or container in the freezer.
How To Freeze Melon Puree
If you want to add melon puree to juice, a smoothie, or into a hot dish, you can puree your melon and freeze it in an ice cube tray. This makes it easy for you to remove just as many cubes as you need for your drink or dish. These are the steps you need to take to freeze melon puree:
1. Puree the melon.
2. Put the melon puree into the slots of an ice cube tray.
Leave a little room at the top of each slot as the puree will probably expand when it goes into the freezer.
3. Freeze for three to four hours.
4. Put the ice cubes in a freezer bag.
Squeeze out all the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Put a label on the bag with the date you put it in the freezer.
5. Freeze for half an hour and then shake.
This ensures that the cubes won’t stick together.
6. Freeze.
Tips For Freezing Melons
- Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags to ensure that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
- Flash-freezeeze the melon slices or chunks to ensure that the pieces don’t stick together.
- You can use the chunks while still frozen in smoothies or juices. Just put them in the blender when you take them out of the freezer.
- Make a mixed fruit bag. This will make a delicious smoothie or juice. Use papaya, kiwi fruit, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, and mango for a tasty treat.
For How Long Can You Freeze Melon?
You can keep melon in the freezer for up to six months which means that you can enjoy it when it is out of season. After six months, the melon may still be safe to eat but it will deteriorate in taste and texture. It will probably become mushy which may be all right for a smoothie but not a salad or dish.
How Do You Defrost Melon?
If you are using your melon in a smoothie, juice, or sorbet, you can use it straight out of the freezer. If you want to use it in a salad, you will need to put it in the fridge for a few hours to defrost. It is best to defrost it slowly if you want to use it in a dish as this helps it retain its taste and texture.
Can You Refreeze Melon?
You shouldn’t refreeze melons as this can cause bacteria to form. Anyway, it will lose taste and texture if it is refrozen. However, there is an exception to the rule. If you have used it in a dish, a smoothie, or juice, you can freeze these items.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Melon?
Melon freezes well if you plan to use it in a smoothie, juice, sorbet, or a hot dish such as hot watermelon soup. However, it doesn’t freeze quite as well if you want to use it as it is. You can still use it in a salad but be aware that the texture might not be quite the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can, and it freezes well but you can only keep it in the freezer for up to three months. After this time, it will start to deteriorate in both taste and texture and there is even the chance of bacteria starting to form.
Try a melon and prawn cocktail or cantaloupe melon with a salad with cucumber and feta. Put watermelon on your pizza if you enjoy a fruit pizza or make a bitter melon stir fry with eggs. Melon and prosciutto skewers are also delicious or try a watermelon martini.
Yes, like any other sort of melon, you can freeze watermelon. However, because it has a high water count, it can end up a bit mushy. It is best used in a smoothie or juice or soup or gazpacho. It will also work well in a cocktail or sorbet but using it in a salad will probably not work.
Yes, you can freeze melon balls in the same way as you would freeze melon chunks or slices. Just ensure that they are stored in an airtight container or a freezer bag that has had the air squeezed out so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
