A berry good summer
Summertime means berries! And there’s nothing better than enjoying the fruit of the season, so go ahead – add some berries to your day! They’re full of antioxidants and they’re naturally sweet.
Some tips ~
- Because of the way strawberries grow, they’re very susceptible to pesticides and herbicides. Buy organic strawberries if you can – they’re worth the price for peace of mind.
- Berries are a very good deal at your local farmer’s market. Get there early for the best selection.
- Check the internet or your library for info on local “u-pick” berry farms. Make it a family day (or hour if your kids are young) and pick your own berries, usually at a lower price. Your kids learn more about where their food comes from, you get a bit of a bargain, everyone has fun!
- Wash berries before you eat them. Fill a sink with cool water and a splash of vinegar (the cheap white stuff is fine for this). Add the berries and swish gently in the water. Remove to a dishtowel laid on the counter. Eat within a day or two.
- To store for a week, do not wash berries. One theory says to keep the berries in a glass jar or bowl in the fridge until you’re ready to wash and serve. Another theory says to lay them flat on a tray in the fridge.
- To freeze berries, wash first, and let most of the water dry off on the dishtowel. Place berries in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray, and freeze. When frozen, put berries in a freezer-weight zipper bag. Good for 3 months in a fridge-freezer and 6 months in a deep freeze.
Photo by John Smith
