I’ve got a frugalicious and tasty trick for dealing with a lot of ripe fruit — I freeze it. And then I turn (churn) it into a healthy version of homemade ice cream, sorbet, or sherbet.
During the summer months I’ve found that it’s easy to get overwhelmed by too much ripe fruit. Local farmers will often harvest their crops and sell bulk amounts at a discount, or I go away for the weekend and need to deal with a few extra peaches, berries, or bananas. Throwing out perfectly good fruit fails to be frugal, and composting can be pretty wasteful too, especially if the fruit is still good.
So I’ve taken to freezing fruit and blending it together into a refreshing frosty treat. Oh, and since frugal fruit ice cream is low in sugar and bursting with whole fruit goodness, you know it’s healthier than most options sold through ice cream franchises, cheaper than branded gourmet ice cream, and the many variations can be fun snacks for kids too.
Tastes like Strawberry Ice Cream
My all time favorite sweet summer fruit is the strawberry. I love a fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (with apples) and enjoy my daily Strawberry and Banana Green Smoothie. But nothing beats a frozen snack when it’s hot outside and I’ve got some strawberries chilling in the freezer.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 2 frozen bananas, chopped
Optional: Add these ingredients if you prefer a creamy or sweeter snack.
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup sugar, or sweeten to taste
Instructions:
1. Blend: Place the strawberries, bananas, and optional ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Serve: Place strawberry ice cream in a bowl and serve.
Add ice cream toppings for fun! I love a few pieces from my Healthy Granola Bar Recipe.
3. OR Freeze: If the strawberry ice cream is super soft after blending and a firmer texture is preferred, then place mixture in a container and freeze. After an hour or two, use an ice cream scoop to serve.
Tastes like Peach Ice Cream
It takes a pretty hot climate to grow a peach. If you’re lucky enough to live in the land of peaches, then try taking this ice cream twist for a spin.
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen peaches, skinless
- 2 frozen bananas, chopped
Optional: Add these ingredients if you prefer a creamy or sweet snack.
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup sugar, or sweeten to taste
Instructions:
1. Blend: Place the peaches, bananas, and optional ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Serve: Use an ice cream scoop and serve.
3. OR Freeze: If the peach ice cream is super soft after blending and a firmer texture is preferred, then place mixture in a container and freeze. After an hour or two, use an ice cream scoop to serve.
If strawberries, bananas, and peaches aren’t your thing, then feel free to use raspberries or another type of high-sugar fruit to take a unique turn on your own frugal ice cream. Anything goes. 
Squawkback: Got a tasty twist on a cool summer snack?
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Your two cents:
That looks unspeakably good. Please deliver some to my back deck immediately
@Harriet I’m eating some right now.
Perhaps this mostly-fruit version will help with the skinny jeans. 
Wow. Those look delicious! Talk about food p0rn. . .
yum yum!
What a great idea & so delicious-looking! Thanks for sharing – can’t wait to try these out this summer:)
This is a good idea I do not usually think of. If I could come with a palatable version with spinach I would be in heaven. Fruit is awesome, but I am always looking for ways to sneak in veggies
Hmm… Anyone tried this without the banana? I’m allergic to banana, but it seems like the texture would be VERY different without it.
WOWOWOWOWOWOW, I am DEFINITELY going to be trying this, this coming summer.
I live in South Africa and am always on a tight budget, so many of your idea’s are going to help me SO SO much.
Thanks x 6 zillion ga billion.
wow!i think its so delicous hope i can taste it soon….
can i know more aboute healthy ice cream ingredints? …………T.Y. ………..
Wow! Great ideas and so healthy for kids too. I love fruitshakes and I’ll surely try all these! A variety of bananas (those usually long and green even when ripe) tastes and smells good too, try it!
Could you use an ice cream maker on this?
@Liz You sure can!
@Dani_Zaz: You could add veggies by using a greens supplement, they even come in fruit flavours so you could add blueberry without having hem in the freezer!
Use Stevia, instead of Sugar. Less calories and helps Diabetics or those with Hypoglycemia.
Did you know that Banana is not a Fruit, but an Herb?
How should the banana be frozen – in its skin or mashed? Will it brown after freezing?
If you freeze banana in its skin you will be very sorry. It’s a mess to peel.
I cut mine the long way into slices, which is quick-thaw and easy-handling.
I store bananas in the fridge the minute they are yellow tip to toe and start to get brown spots. The skin will turn brown but the inside stays white.