Yum! The local Blueberry Farm http://theberrypatchonline.com/ opened for picking this week. Because of steamy hot temperatures, eager pickers showed up bright and early at 7 am when the gates opened. The first crop is abundant and the berries huge. A combination of recent rains and a perfectly cool spring has resulted in what one old timer referred to as “the best pickin’ in years!”
Blueberry season typically stretches from June through August. If you are lucky enough to have access to a local U-Pick berry farm or grow your own, you know there is nothing like a big, juicy, blueberry right off the bush. Resisting the urge to nibble all the way home, I can hardly wait to toss a handful on yogurt or ice cream for a cooling afternoon boost during these hot summer days.
You will notice that your fresh picked blueberries have a powdery blue color. This powdery finish is called bloom. It is Mother Nature’s protective coating helping prevent sunburn. This bloom is a hint to a blueberry’s freshness. As the fruit ages it becomes a deep, almost midnight blue. If you are buying blueberries at the market, look for dry, firm and frosty-blue berries. Soft, moist, and dark tell you the blueberries are breaking down.
Blueberries should be refrigerated as soon as possible after picking/purchasing. I wash mine as I need them leaving nature’s bloom on the blueberries until I am ready to use them. They seem to last longer that way. Setting aside a healthy portion unwashed in the refrigerator to rinse and toss on cereal or salads, I will freeze or dehydrate most of my blueberry bounty. While they are available, I pick or buy blueberries to have all year for blueberry-basil scones, sweet blueberry syrup, blueberry conserve, or to toss in my morning smoothie.
Freezing or dehydrating is fast and so easy. Rinse the blueberries and drain, Spread in a single layer on a baking pan or tray and put in the freezer. An hour or so later, check that the blueberries are frozen through and then gently slide them into your choice of freezer containers. I use reclose-able freezer bags, squeezing all of the excess air from the bag before sealing closed. (Air is the biggest enemy of frozen foods.) Frozen blueberries can be used straight from the freezer in baking, jellies or other preserves. To dehydrate, I prepare as before, only I spread the dry berries on the racks of my dehydrator in a single layer. Dry according to the dehydrator's guidelines and seal in an air tight container. These dehydrated berries are a great snack for hiking and other strenuous activities. They also are a great addition to trail mix bars and oatmeal cookies.
Besides being so yummy, blueberries are so good for you. *** They have recently been referred to as a miracle food. You know, there is that group of fruits/berries that bear unbelievable nutritional value. The thing about most of those other fruits is that they are not grown around here. Being native to the northern region of North America, blueberries are readily cultivated or growing wild in our area. If I pick/buy locally, I am saving energy and supporting my local economy. What is good for me becomes good for my community and the planet. I love when that works out!
***USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
Blueberry season typically stretches from June through August. If you are lucky enough to have access to a local U-Pick berry farm or grow your own, you know there is nothing like a big, juicy, blueberry right off the bush. Resisting the urge to nibble all the way home, I can hardly wait to toss a handful on yogurt or ice cream for a cooling afternoon boost during these hot summer days.
You will notice that your fresh picked blueberries have a powdery blue color. This powdery finish is called bloom. It is Mother Nature’s protective coating helping prevent sunburn. This bloom is a hint to a blueberry’s freshness. As the fruit ages it becomes a deep, almost midnight blue. If you are buying blueberries at the market, look for dry, firm and frosty-blue berries. Soft, moist, and dark tell you the blueberries are breaking down.
Blueberries should be refrigerated as soon as possible after picking/purchasing. I wash mine as I need them leaving nature’s bloom on the blueberries until I am ready to use them. They seem to last longer that way. Setting aside a healthy portion unwashed in the refrigerator to rinse and toss on cereal or salads, I will freeze or dehydrate most of my blueberry bounty. While they are available, I pick or buy blueberries to have all year for blueberry-basil scones, sweet blueberry syrup, blueberry conserve, or to toss in my morning smoothie.
Freezing or dehydrating is fast and so easy. Rinse the blueberries and drain, Spread in a single layer on a baking pan or tray and put in the freezer. An hour or so later, check that the blueberries are frozen through and then gently slide them into your choice of freezer containers. I use reclose-able freezer bags, squeezing all of the excess air from the bag before sealing closed. (Air is the biggest enemy of frozen foods.) Frozen blueberries can be used straight from the freezer in baking, jellies or other preserves. To dehydrate, I prepare as before, only I spread the dry berries on the racks of my dehydrator in a single layer. Dry according to the dehydrator's guidelines and seal in an air tight container. These dehydrated berries are a great snack for hiking and other strenuous activities. They also are a great addition to trail mix bars and oatmeal cookies.
Besides being so yummy, blueberries are so good for you. *** They have recently been referred to as a miracle food. You know, there is that group of fruits/berries that bear unbelievable nutritional value. The thing about most of those other fruits is that they are not grown around here. Being native to the northern region of North America, blueberries are readily cultivated or growing wild in our area. If I pick/buy locally, I am saving energy and supporting my local economy. What is good for me becomes good for my community and the planet. I love when that works out!
***USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
Zesty Blueberry Smoothie
6 OZ Water
1 – 2 servings vanilla whey powder (on my meal plan 2 servings is 200 cal. 12 gr protein 0 sugars)
½ C fresh or frozen blueberries
Juice of ½ lemon
Lemon zest-if you are energetic and like it tart!
1 tsp ground flax seed (no-no if in the weight loss phase of the plan)
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 fresh purple basil or mint or lemon balm leaves (optional- gives a wonderful depth of flavor and aroma)
Ice, if you want it slushier.
Process and drink immediately or freeze in Popsicle molds for high energy snacks.
6 OZ Water
1 – 2 servings vanilla whey powder (on my meal plan 2 servings is 200 cal. 12 gr protein 0 sugars)
½ C fresh or frozen blueberries
Juice of ½ lemon
Lemon zest-if you are energetic and like it tart!
1 tsp ground flax seed (no-no if in the weight loss phase of the plan)
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 fresh purple basil or mint or lemon balm leaves (optional- gives a wonderful depth of flavor and aroma)
Ice, if you want it slushier.
Process and drink immediately or freeze in Popsicle molds for high energy snacks.
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