|
Age |
Fruit |
Fresh Quantity |
Preparation |
Cooking Time Stove / Microwave |
|
|
About 6 Months |
Apples |
6 medium |
Peel and remove core |
10 min. / 5 min. |
|
|
Pears |
6 medium |
Peel and remove core |
10 min. / 5 min. |
||
|
6-8 Months |
Apricots |
12-14 |
Peel and remove pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
|
|
Nectarines |
8 medium |
Peel and remove pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
Peaches |
6-7 large |
Peel and remove pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
Plums |
8-10 large |
Peel and remove pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
8-10 Months |
Mangos |
4 |
Peel and cut meat away from pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
|
|
Papayas |
4 small or 1 X-Large |
Cut in half, remove seeds with spoon, and peel |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
10-12 Months |
Cantaloupe |
1 medium |
Cut in half, remove seeds with spoon, and peel |
5 min. / 3 min. |
|
|
Sweet Cherries |
1½ pounds |
Cut in half and remove pit |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
Pineapple |
1 medium |
Cut off top, bottom, and skin and remove core |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
Over 12 Months |
Blueberries |
1½ pounds |
Remove stems and dirt |
5 min. / 3 min. |
|
|
Raspberries |
1½ pounds |
Remove stems and dirt |
5 min. / 3 min. |
||
|
Strawberries |
1½ pounds |
Remove stems and dirt |
5 min. / 3 min. |
Fruits:
Quantity
Fresh Fruit: Follow the quantity information provided in the table.
Frozen Fruit: 20-25 ounces
Canned Fruit: 20-25 ounces
1. Prep
Fresh Fruits: Wash the fruit and follow the preparation instructions in the table for the fruit that you are cooking. Cut the fruit into 1-inch chunks or slices.
Frozen Fruits: Open the package and proceed to the next step.
Canned fruits: Open the cans and pour the fruit into a colander or strainer. Rinse under cold water for one minute and skip to the puree step.
2. Cook
Stove Method: Pour 1 cup of water in a large saucepan. Set a steamer basket in the saucepan. Place the fruit pieces in the steamer basket. Cover the saucepan and place on a stove burner. Set the burner temperature to HIGH and bring the water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for the suggested cooking time in the table. Let stand for 5 minutes. The fruit is done if a fork slides easily into it or it can be mashed easily. Place the fruit and 2 to 4 Tablespoons of cooking juice into a blender or food processor.
Microwave Method: Place the fruit in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a lid. Cook on HIGH for suggested cooking time in the table. Let stand for 5 minutes. The fruit is done if a fork slides easily into it or it can be mashed easily. Place the fruit and the cooking juice into a blender or food processor.
3. Puree
Puree in the blender or food processor to a smooth texture. At least once during the puree process, stop the appliance and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
4. Freeze
Pour or spoon the pureed fruit into ice cube trays and cover them. Put them in the freezer for 8 to 10 hours or overnight.
5. Pop and Store:
Write the type of fruit and the date on a freezer storage bag. Remove the baby food trays from the freezer and quickly run hot water over the back of the tray. Twist the tray to pop the fruit cubes out and into the freezer storage bag. Place the storage bag in the freezer.
Makes: About 24 one-ounce servings