Only the Berry Best
Summertime is right around the corner, and that means only one thing: The best berries are at their peak—blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and many more. The question: What to do with them? The possibilities are endless and berry delicious with these recipes!
Berrylicious
With so many kinds of berries available this time of the year, it’s easy to lose track of which berry goes best with your dish. Here’s a list for when you’re putting together your next berry-fun dish!
Blackberries
Uses: Blackberries are tasty eaten raw but their flavor and texture improve when cooked. They are delicious additions to pies or baked goods.
Selecting and storing: Look for firm, plump berries that are completely free of mold. Blackberries are highly perishable but can be stored, unwashed, in a single layer in the refrigerator for two days.
Blueberries
Uses: Blueberries are delicious whether eaten plain or as part of a dessert. Add blueberries to muffin mixes at the last minute to help keep them from breaking.
Selecting and storing: Blueberries should be plump and very dark blue with a slight silvery sheen. Avoid shriveled, green or moldy berries. Store, unwashed, in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Raspberries
Uses: Sweet, delicate and juicy, raspberries can be enjoyed plain, as part of a salad, in pies or in preserves or sauces.
Selecting and storing: Select plump, dry berries that are free of mold and have no hulls. Raspberries are very perishable and should be used shortly after purchase, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Strawberries
Uses: Strawberries make tasty additions to desserts, salads, pies and sauces; they can be enjoyed plain, sprinkled with a bit of sugar or sliced over cereal or yogurt.
Selecting and storing: Look for bright red, plump, firm, dry berries with their leafy caps attached. Avoid berries with soft spots or pale green or yellow coloring. Strawberries are highly perishable and should be used shortly after purchase, though they can be refrigerated, unwashed, for up to three days.