Preserve Berries Without Making Jam

Fresh, seasonal berries are easy to freeze. Don´t wash them (the less damp the better), but do discard stems, debris and blemished fruit. Freeze them in one layer on a tray, and when they are hard, pour them into plastic bags or freezer containers. When ready to use them, rinse berries under cold water, which washes them as well as helps to defrost them. Though they won´t be as good as fresh berries, they add color and nutrients to a fruit salad or smoothie. And them (defrosted) to pancake or muffin batter. Warmed with a little maple syrup, frozen berries make a good waffle topping.