Blueberries
Obviously high in the antioxident compounds that give blue, purple and red foods their color, blueberries have a rich range of micronutrients, and notably high levels of iron and antioxidant vitamins C and E.
A fourth of July tradition — The blueberry farm down the road opens for a week of U-pick. Its time to find the buckets, and go for catching-up on news in the neighborhood and picking enough of the luscious blueberries for enjoyment until July comes around again.
The lady who owns the farm has decided this is her time to gather her “tax money”, and, I think, have a party. The following week, the commercial pickers come with their equipment and gather the harvest.
The berries are large, lowbush berries, and easily picked; and there is as much emphasis on visiting with friends as gathering berries.
When you get your berries home, wash them (unless you are planning to make wine), dry them and store in plastic bags in the freezer, except for enough berries to make a blueberry cobbler.
Your cobbler should be deep-dish with plenty of short crust, filled with butter, sugar and cinnamon, to be eaten warm with a generous dollop of ice cream.
Blueberries are native to North America and belong to the heath family which includes cranberry, bilberry, azalea and rhododendron.. They are close cousins to cranberries. They will grow in the same areas as cranberries and under the same conditions, although bogs are not essential.
Some additional states, among them Georgia and Michigan, have devoted particular attention to blueberry culture and marketing, and have spread the idea of blueberry – the superfruit.
Obviously high in the antioxident compounds that give blue, purple and red foods their color, blueberries have a rich range of micronutrients, notably high levels of the essential dietary mineral iron, and antioxidant vitamins C and E, with a relatively low glycemic load. They contain anthocyanins, roanthocyanidins, flavonois, and tannins that inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development.
There is also evidence that blueberries might slow Alzheimer’s and other conditions associated with aging.
Animal studies show positive indications for treating stroke damage, urinary tract infections, lowering cholesterol and blood lipid levels, possibly effecting symptoms of heart disease.
Wild blueberries are especially beneficial in reducing some diseases, including some cancers.
Dried Blueberries
From your dehydrator, or from the supermarket, dried blueberries are a surprisingly delicious snack, sprinkled on a salad, or included in trail mix. They give the impression that all the best properties of blueberries are concentrated into one wonderful gift.
The Best Blueberry Muffins
This is the way to make muffins from large, plump, cultivated blueberries:
Use extra-large muffin cups, lined with paper muffin cases.
Don’t put the blueberries in the batter.
Your batter should not be runny.
Fill the muffin cup half way.
Sprinkle in blueberries to your taste.
Complete filling the muffin cup with batter, piling it as high as you dare.
Top with a streusel topping.
If you haven’t enjoyed blueberries for a while, start your celebration of July, National Blueberry Month, early, and make something blueberry today.
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