Cantaloupe makes a sweet treat to enjoy in the hot summer, but you can also enjoy it throughout the year. Freezing cantaloupe is an easy way to preserve the fruit without additives or preservatives. Frozen cantaloupes maintain their nutrients and flavor, so they will taste just as fresh! But how exactly can you freeze cantaloupe, and how easy is it?

Freezing cantaloupe is easy, especially if you pick fresh cantaloupes. Start by trimming its ends, cutting it in half, scooping out its seeds, and removing its skin. Next, cut the cantaloupe into chunks and lay them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Finally, load the tray into the freezer for 2-3 hours, then store them into freezer-safe bags for long-term storage.

Preparing to Freeze Cantaloupe

How to Pick Fresh Cantaloupe

The key to enjoying this summer fruit all year long is to pick the perfect cantaloupe for freezing. If you are not careful, your cantaloupe may not last long. However, it can be challenging to determine the quality of a cantaloupe from its surface. Still, you can follow these simple tips to pick ripe cantaloupe every time.

Tip #1: Choose a cantaloupe that is mainly beige. The webbing should be beige, and the skin should have a green hue.

Tip #2: Avoid cantaloupes with bruises on the skin.

Tip#3: A ripe cantaloupe will feel heavy for its size. It should feel firm with a bit of give when you press into it. If the cantaloupe feels too soft, it is overripe and should be avoided.

Tip #4: A fresh cantaloupe will have a sweet aroma near its stem.

Supplies You Need

Cantaloupe

You can freeze as much or as little cantaloupe as you prefer. However, you should use fresh cantaloupes, or you will end up with overripe and mushy frozen cantaloupe.

Freezer Containers

To store your frozen cantaloupe, you will need freezer containers. You can use freezer-safe jars or freezer-safe bags to store the cantaloupe. We recommend using freezer bags because they are more convenient to use in the freezer and are easily stackable.

How to Freeze Cantaloupe

Cut the Cantaloupe

The most challenging part of freezing cantaloupe is cutting it. However, when done correctly, freezing cantaloupe is easy! To cut cantaloupe for freezing, follow these simple steps:

1. Place your cantaloupe on the cutting board and trim both ends.

2. Next, position the cantaloupe vertically using a trimmed end as the base and chop the cantaloupe in half.
3. Scoop out the seeds in the center of each cantaloupe half with a spoon.
4. Cut each half of the cantaloupe into wedges of your preferred size.
5. Finally, cut each wedge until you reach the hard skin and run your knife underneath the skin to remove it.

Flash Freeze the Cantaloupe

To flash freeze the chopped cantaloupe, follow these easy steps:

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the cantaloupe in a single layer without any overlaps.
2. Load the tray into the freezer for 2-3 hours or until the cantaloupe has frozen solid.

Store the Cantaloupe

After flash freezing the cantaloupe, you can store it into freezer-safe bags or jars for long-term storage. Before sealing, you need to remove as much air from the bag as possible. You can use a vacuum sealer or even create a makeshift vacuum seal using a straw.

To make a vacuum seal with a straw, seal the bag almost entirely and leave just enough space for the straw to pass through. Poke your straw through the opening and suck out as much air as possible before sealing it all the way.

Finally, label and date each freezer bag before loading it in the freezer.

How to Thaw Frozen Cantaloupe

If you want to defrost your frozen cantaloupe, you can follow these methods depending on how much time you have.

Defrost Using Cold Water

To thaw frozen cantaloupe with water, follow these simple steps:

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water and place your bags of frozen cantaloupe in it.
2. Let the bag soak for up to an hour or until it has thawed completely. Remember to turn the bag over every few minutes to defrost your cantaloupe evenly.

Defrost in the Fridge

To thaw frozen cantaloupe in the fridge, follow these easy steps:

1. Move your bag of frozen cantaloupe from the freezer to the refrigerator.
2. Let the cantaloupe sit in the fridge for 6-8 hours or until the fruit has thawed completely.

Defrost in the Microwave

To thaw frozen cantaloupe in the microwave, follow these simple steps:

1. Place the cantaloupe in the microwave and select the defrost setting.
2. Defrost the cantaloupe for up to 2 minutes or until the fruit has defrosted completely.

How to Use Frozen Cantaloupe

The best part about frozen cantaloupe is that you can use it while still frozen. You can snack on the cantaloupe and blend it in smoothies straight from the freezer!

If you want a perfect treat to enjoy on a hot summer day, you can make cantaloupe sorbet using frozen cantaloupe. To make cantaloupe sorbet, follow these easy steps:

Cantaloupe Sorbet Recipe

What You Need

• 4 cups frozen cantaloupe
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Add the frozen cantaloupe to your food processor and blend it until you reach a crumble-like texture.
2. Next, blend in the honey, lemon juice, and water until you get a smooth, sorbet-like consistency. If the texture is slushy-like, you have blended too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Cantaloupe Last in the Freezer?

Frozen cantaloupe will last in the freezer for 9-12 months, giving you enough time to freeze a new batch for cantaloupe season. To extend cantaloupe’s freezer life, ensure that you freeze fresh fruit and remove all air before sealing them in freezer-safe containers.

Can You Freeze Whole Melons?

Although it is possible to freeze whole melons, you should avoid doing so. Freezing whole melons takes up unnecessary freezer space, and the texture may be inconsistent. If you do not use the entire melon, you will also need to refreeze the leftovers.

How Can You Tell When Cantaloupes Have Gone Bad?

If you properly freeze and store cantaloupe, it will not go bad for up to a year. However, you should discard frozen cantaloupe if it becomes slimy, gives an odd smell, or develops mold. Always check for these signs before using or defrosting frozen cantaloupes. If you are unsure how long something has been in the freezer, it is best to toss it out.

Conclusion

Freezing cantaloupe is a simple way to enjoy the refreshing summer fruit all year long. If you defrost it, it will taste just as fresh as when you froze it. However, you can use frozen cantaloupes straight from the freezer in smoothies and sorbets. The next time you find ripe cantaloupe at your local farmer’s market, pick up an extra batch for freezing!

If you want to enjoy more summer fruits throughout the year, you could learn how to freeze watermelon!