Preserving Star Fruit Carambola Recipes

HOW TO FREEZE CARAMBOLA JUICE

Steps:

• Buy or pick carambola or star fruit that is ripe. The riper the fruit the sweeter the juice.
• Store-bought star fruit: Wash and scrub the fruit under cold water.
• Freshly picked start fruit: Wash and gently scrub any dirt or insects from the fresh fruit.
• Prepare the fruit: Trim the edges off the fruit and any brown or bruised areas. Slice the start fruit into star-shaped slices vertically. Use the tip of a paring knife to remove all the seeds.
• Slice each trimmed carambola fruit into star shapes. Use the tip of your knife to pop the seeds out of each slice.
• Place the sliced carambola into a blender or food processor. Process the carambola pieces about one minute in the blender until the pulp is liquefied.
• Pour the thick carambola juice through a fine-mesh strainer placed over a spouted bowl or spouted measuring cup to help prevent drips. Use the back of a spoon to mash the pulp to extract all of the juice from the pulp.
• Place two ice cube trays of a silicone egg bite mold on a flat surface. Fill each well with the carambola juice leaving about 1/2 an inch headspace. Freeze overnight.
• Once frozen flip the mold or ice cube tray over on a plate or a cookie sheet. After a few minutes, the juice will begin to melt and slip from the mold.
• Place the frozen cubes of juice in freezer bags and place them in the freezer until needed.
• Three large star fruit will yield about three cups of carambola slices.

PRESERVED STAR FRUIT (AKA FIVE FINGER OR CARAMBOLA)

Steps:

• Remove either end of the fruit and slice into 1/4 - 1/2 inch pieces.
• Place in a large pot and cover with water and add the sugar and spices.
• Bring to a boil and leave to cool for 3 hours. The fruit will soak up the sugar and spices.
• Preheat oven to 150F.
• Drain any liquid off and keep it for something else.
• Place fruit on baking sheets.
• Place in the oven with the door propped open to allow the steam to escape. Turn every hour or so until the fruit is done.
• Store in an airtight container.
• The cooking time is only an estimate, it will vary with how much you drained off, the humidity etc.

PRESERVING STAR FRUIT (CARAMBOLA)

Steps:

• Method 1: Cut off rough edges. Chop into chunks. Puree. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Place into airtight freezer bag, label and date. Use as needed in the future.
• Method 2: Cut off rough edges. Slice (thickness you desire). Lay out on a pan in 1 layer. Sprinkle a little sugar on top. Place pan in freeezer til solid. Place into an airtight freezer bag, label and date. Use as desired in the future.