Since moving out to NYC, I’ve found the produce to be less than exceptional (I know if my new co-workers reads this she’ll cringe, as I mention this to everyone, and I’m sure she’s sick of my SF elitist ways!) To be fair, dishes I’ve had at restaurants = outstanding. Scrumptious gelato has now entered my regular meal rotation. And I’ve tasted some of the best Italian food and fresh bread I’ve come across in my life. But when it comes to fruits and veggies, they seem to take a backseat. Until I came across blueberries. They seem to not only be amazingly-local (even my nearby sidewalk fruit stand is selling them from South Jersey), they’re plump, juicy, and CHEAP!
- How to Pick: Blueberries are usually sold in containers, even from the farmer’s market, so if you can’t handpick them try to avoid baskets with any shriveled or smashed ones. Also, look for big berries, as the general rule of thumb is: the bigger, the sweeter….as they don’t ripen further after being picked. If you’re attempting to pick them yourself from a nearby farm, here are some tips before heading out.
- How to Store: Pick through your container and remove any bad berries in order to prevent them from spreading mold. Store unwashed berries in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- How to Use: Toss fresh blueberries in your cereal and pancakes; Freeze them for a cool treat or blend with yogurt and sugar for homemade pops; Boil down blueberries with some sugar for a delicious ice cream topping; Bake them into pies, tarts, and crumbles; Dry them in a dehydrator and add to granola; or preserve into jam for blueberries year-round!
- Recipe Ideas: Last week I successfully subbed blueberries in for my Strawberry-Apple Crumble; Heidi Swanson suggests a throwback 1974 Gourmet recipe of Old-Fashioned Blueberry Cake; Epicurious features Gourmet’s Blueberry Muffin Tops in honor of Elaine proclaiming to only like the tops on Seinfield; and on Friday I’ll share my Blueberry, Banana, and Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe.
- Fun Fact: Maine is the blueberry production capital of North America and produces almost 100 percent of all berries harvested in the country (hence why they’re everywhere here!) America also claims “blueberry” as their favorite muffin.
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hm-m-m I also had the same experience!!