Question from MJ
Hi Debra,
I’m so glad I came across this! I’m trying to make our kitchen the healthiest I can as now I have a daughter! She’s extremely picky and I wanted to make some homemade popsicles for her to squeeze some veggies and fruit into her diet.
I can only find plastic (not buying), silicone, and stainless steel (18/8) molds.
Do you have a suggestion for me?
Also, what kind of cookware is best? Currently we have stuff I’m phasing out and also cast iron.
Debra’s Answer
For cookware, see Cookware page on Debra’s List.
First I want to say “good for you to make your own popsicles.” Even whole fruit popsicles in the natural food store often have sugar or other processed sweeteners in them.
For popsicle molds…now here is an example of a place where I would think more simply. I don’t make popsicles any more, though I love them.
The basic materials for popsicle molds to choose from are:
* plastic
* BPA-free plastic
* silicone
* aluminum
* stainless steel
The simplest way to make a popsicle is with paper cups. But here are 5 Ways to Make Popsicles Without a Mold.
Paper cups have a bit of paraffin wax on the inside, but you could line them with parchment paper, which has a silicone coating.
You know I think it would be great if someone would make wooden popsicle molds that you could line with parchment. I’m going to ask Larry to make a popsicle mold for me.
My popsicle alternative is to make whole fruit ice. Here’s a recipe I just made last night.
What’s different about this is it contains the whole fruit with the pulp, not just the juice. Which is not only better for you nutritionally, but it makes the ice creamier.
PINEAPPLE LIME WHOLE FRUIT ICE (GRANITA)
2 cups pineapple, cut into cubes
juice and zest of 2 limes
1 tablespoon raw honey
1/2 cup water
1. Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. This took me about a minute.
2. Pour the puree into a shallow glass container, like a 9×9 glass baking pan.
3. Put it in the freezer and freeze for 30 minutes.
4. Take it out of the freezer and break up the ice with a fork. It will be frozen around the edges but not in the middle.
5. Let it sit for another half hour, break it up again, and it’s ready to eat.
This will taste like a popsicle and be cold like a popsicle, but no molds required. Larry and I both loved it.
You can use this same recipe with any fruit or combination of fruits or put it in a popsicle mold if you choose.
