Freezing Seasonal Fruits

[Alisana]

Hey,

Just wanted to get some thoughts on freezing seasonal fruit.

I have pitted cherries and also heaps of palm nuts; both I'm interested in storing for my birds. (The palm nuts will be for the macaw; whereas the cherries are for both budgies and macaw). (Note; Don't have macaw yet, just curious about the palm nuts)

So how do you preserve them? I've seen pet stores charge and exoberant amount for palm seeds in the past, and we have HEAPS in season at the moment, so would like to know the procedures for storing them in future when I actually get my macaw.

The cherries is a now thing though for my budgies XD I just finished pitting them and was about to put them in the freezer, but wondered if when I bring them out if they will be OK.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Alisana]

I figure I can use something like this for freezing: Sunbeam Food Saver - Small Kitchen Appliances | Harvey Norman Australia

Until I get that though, I was going to freeze them on sheets of baking paper (to stop them freezing in clumps), then after they've frozen, to package them into bags.

 

[MacawGuy]

I don't see y u couldn't ill look into it. But. What kinda macaw are u getting

 

[Alisana]

I don't see y u couldn't ill look into it. But. What kinda macaw are u getting

I put some cherries in the freezer earlier and will see how they go. Will need to inspect to make sure they don't get freezer burn though.

I'm getting a Hahns at the end of the year (November-ish), and we're getting either a large female Blue and Gold, or male Greenwing April next year. (I haven't decided between the species; I figure if I get a large B&G then there will be less intimidation by a Greenwing) - See post here: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/19219-cant-decide-blue-gold-greenwing-macaw.html

Let me know how you go with them anyway!

 

[MacawGuy]

Well I work with macaws on weekends. In out of all macaws I like the.scarlet macaw
Which is very cool bird. Why haven't you look into a scarlet.

 

[WharfRat]

Ali, just thought I'd throw this out there, I am able to buy organic frozen mixed fruit at the grocery store, not sure what ya got in Oz

 

[Spiritbird]

Palm nuts can freeze for up to two years. You must live in Florida.

March Newsletter

 

[GWGordy]

I love my greenwing!! He's super mellow, granted he's only 5wks old!! But all the other GW have been super sweet! and B&G are very nice too!! but they seem to take to one person!! I wanted one that went to anyone!! So super blessed on our little man!

 

[lene1949]

I would rather buy store bought frozen fruit and vegies, as they're snap frozen... We can do that in our freezers, so the food will lose nutrients..

 

[ann]

once you freeze them, on hot summer days, you can offer them still frozen. oscar eats bits of frozen apples . you can also chop up bits of fruit and mix with water and put in an ice cube tray. when it freezes, pop out and serve! good luck with your macaw, my vote is the green wing, they're so sweet!

 

[Alisana]

I had a chat with a chef today and they basically said that with the frozen fruits, once defrosted they lose their shape. She said it will be OK if you put them in a blender, smoothie, pie, etc; but if you wanted to eat them, would be best to snap freeze so they retain their shape and eat them semi-frozen.

Palm nuts can freeze for up to two years. You must live in Florida.

March Newsletter

That was a great article Thanks for sharing!

I'm going to invest in a Food Saver - can get them on special. We figure we can use it for nuts as well as the chef said that because of the oil content in the nuts, you can use the food saver with them and then store in the fridge; so long as the temp is constant, it'll keep them fresh.

Once I pick up a food saver, I'll start running around and testing out these palm nuts. We have so many!! And they're all just dropping to the floor

 

[triordan]

Until I get that though, I was going to freeze them on sheets of baking paper (to stop them freezing in clumps), then after they've frozen, to package them into bags.

That's what i do monthly~ once a month I cook for Remington, sweet potato, butternut squash, broccoli, carrots, peas, whole wheat pasta, quino, brown rice, banana, whatever I have! Mix it up,spoon it onto a cookie sheet, freeze and bag. Then at night I pull one out for his dinner!

 

[Alisana]

Until I get that though, I was going to freeze them on sheets of baking paper (to stop them freezing in clumps), then after they've frozen, to package them into bags.

That's what i do monthly~ once a month I cook for Remington, sweet potato, butternut squash, broccoli, carrots, peas, whole wheat pasta, quino, brown rice, banana, whatever I have! Mix it up,spoon it onto a cookie sheet, freeze and bag. Then at night I pull one out for his dinner!

Glad to hear that it works

 

[Gshepdog]

Frozen fruit is expensive up here in New England. Have veggies in the garden and just bought cherries and peaches. Will try freezing them. If they are spread on sheets, they should freeze quick. Will thaw out small amounts of everything see what the texture is like.

Lee