Can you Freeze Figs

Figs are a very popular fruit that most people enjoy. The beginning of summer is the best time to buy fresh figs because they have a lot of flavors and taste delicious. Fresh figs taste great when they are in season, but freeze-fried figs are also great for baking when you crave them in the middle of winter.

You can use different techniques to freeze figs, depending on how you plan to use them in the future. In the following article, we will discuss how to freeze figs safely and effectively so that you can enjoy them for days to come.

Prepare Figs for Freezing

In this blog post, we have described various methods you can use to freeze your figs. Each technique uses the same preparation steps and varies in the freezing process. In all the methods below, we have used 2 quarts (~8 cups) of figs.

Cleaning the Figs

1. The very first step is making sure your figs are nice and clean. Get all your figs in a large bowl and fill it with water. You can add a little bit of vinegar to the water to eliminate the bacteria for extra protection. For every three parts of water, add one part vinegar.
2. Let the figs soak in the water for 5 – 10 minutes.
3. When the figs have finished soaking, drain the water from the bowl and fill it once more with fresh water.
4. Rinse the figs thoroughly in the water. Doing this will get rid of any vinegar residue that may be present.
5. Drain the water and let the figs air dry until you are ready to use them. If you want to hurry this process, you can also dry them using kitchen or paper towels.

Cutting the Figs

1. Cut all your figs so that you can dry them evenly. Cutting is an optional step but preferred by most people as it makes using the figs much more convenient in the end.
2. Use a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board to cut the figs cleanly without squishing them.
3. As per your preference, you can either cut the figs into halves or even quarters. If you want to peel the figs, this is the correct time to do that as well.

Freezing Figs

Freezing figs is a simple process with a few variations that you can choose from.

Method1: Flash Freezing

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay your figs in a single layer over it. You can place the figs close together; just take care that they don’t touch one another because that will cause them to freeze together.
2. Once the baking tray is full, place it in the freezer for flash freezing. Leave the tray in the freezer for 2 – 3 hours to allow the figs to freeze solid.
3. Once the figs have frozen, you can transfer them to freezer containers for long-term storage.

The flash-freeze method is excellent since it prevents the figs from clumping together and freezing. It becomes effortless for you to individually remove frozen figs from the container without thawing the entire batch.

Method 2: Sugar Coating

1. In a large bowl, add the cut fig pieces. For every 5 cups of fruit, add 1 cup of granulated sugar. (The sugar proportion is adjustable, you can adjust it according to your preference.)
2. Toss the figs and sugar so that all the pieces get coated with the sugar.
3. Once all the figs are well coated, transfer them into resealable freezer bags. Ideally, pre-portion the figs into different bags so that you can thaw only the needed amount in the future.
4. When all your bags are ready, seal them shut, squeezing out as much air as possible from them.
5. Label and date all the bags and place them in the freezer.

Method 3: Sugar Syrup

1. In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar.
2. Bring this mixture to a boil on the stovetop, stirring it occasionally to help the sugar dissolve.
3. Once the sugar has dissolved, take the syrup off the heat and let it cool down to room temperature before you use it.
4. You need approximately 1 cup of syrup for every quart of figs. Portion your figs into freezer jars and pour the cooled-down syrup over them until they are just covered. Take care that you leave 1-inch headspace.
5. Close the containers and label and date them before placing them in the freezer.

How to Use Frozen Figs

An important thing to note about frozen figs is that if you thaw them, their texture becomes quite mushy as they beak down when thawing. Because of this, it’s best not to use frozen figs in any recipe that calls for fresh figs. The texture of frozen figs is also different from fresh figs. So, it is best not to combine both in a recipe.

Frozen figs work great in baking recipes and also in making sauces, jams, and preserves. Frozen figs are also great in smoothies. If you plan on using the figs in a smoothie, you don’t even have to worry about thawing them. Simply chuck while frozen in the mixer.

Tips

• It’s best not to store figs near other fruits and vegetables as they hasten their ripening process.
• When any kind of fruit is frozen, its color changes in the freezing process. If you want to retain the color of your figs, you can coat the figs in a simple syrup of ascorbic acid and lemon juice. For every quart of fruit, use three tablespoons of ascorbic acid and ½ cup of bottled lemon juice. Coat the fruit using this mixture, and it will help in retaining most of the original color.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to thaw frozen figs?

Thaw your frozen figs by moving them into the fridge from the freezer the night before you want to use them. By the time you use them the next day, your figs will have thawed completely. Use a plate or bowl to catch the condensation from the thawing figs.

How long do figs last?

Fresh figs can last in the fridge for up to 7 days. If you have frozen figs, they can last in the freezer for 12 – 18 months. Once the figs have thawed, try to use them completely, and if you need to store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

How do you know if the figs are going bad?

Figs that are starting to go bad will develop a slimy texture and will also smell and taste sour. If you notice any mold on the figs or the container they are stored in, it is best to discard them immediately. It is essential to label and date all your containers with the packaging date to consume or rotate the product while it is still safe.

Conclusion

Figs are one the most nutrient-packed fruits that you can include in your diet. Their versatility makes them an ideal candidate for preserving as well. If you are a fig lover, give this preserving technique a try, and we are sure you will be using it for years to come. You may also find some of our other freezing guides helpful.