Homemade Frozen Fruit Cups

We all know how hard it can be to get fresh fruit and berries during the winter months. While we struggle with it in larger areas, it`s even more challenging in some of our remote and rural communities where we have KES Clubs.  We always say that frozen and canned (if there are no sugars added) is as good as fresh – although, quality, taste and texture may sometimes be a little different, but certainly still a delicious and nutritious choice.  The next time you shop or place an order for your KES Club stock up on frozen fruits and berries (especially if they are on sale).  You can make a variety of great breakfast and snacks with frozen fruit.  Each week throughout the winter, especially, try getting a couple of your volunteers together to make these yummy fruit cups to serve to your students:

Ingredients

• 16 ounces frozen strawberries or mixed berries, thawed
• 16 ounces frozen mixed fruit, thawed
• 16 ounces frozen blueberries
• 2 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple, undrained (you can use frozen pineapple as well)
• 2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, undrained
• 6 bananas, diced ( yellow but not too ripe)
• 1/3 cup lemon juice ( bottled is fine)
• 100% pineapple juice and orange juice (to taste)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl. Portion in cups or small containers.  You can freeze if you wish and thaw slightly before freezing so they are slushy when you serve them OR serve as is with juice (not slushy).  Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: http://www.food.com/recipe/frozen-fruit-cups-278998

Janel Genge is a Registered Dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador