To freeze fresh peaches, follow these steps:
- Rinse and dry the peaches.
- Peel them if desired by blanching: boil peaches for 1 minute, then transfer to ice water and peel off skins.
- Cut peaches in half, remove the pit, then slice or keep halved.
- To prevent browning, toss the slices with about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per pound of peaches.
- Arrange the peach slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze until solid, about 4 hours.
- Transfer the frozen slices to a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container, remove as much air as possible, seal, label with date, and store.
- Frozen peaches last for 6 to 12 months in the freezer.
This method keeps the peaches from clumping together and preserves their flavor for use in smoothies, baking, or eating later.
