Ripe, sweet, juicy local berries are a great treat of summer eating. Berries don't ripen after picking, so choose bright, deeply colored berries without any mushiness. Berries are delicate creatures that are at their best eaten quickly after picking. Store them, if needed, covered and chilled. Rinse and pat dry just before eating or using.
Blackberries
Photo © Molly Watson
Many different berries fall into the category of "blackberries" - Marionberries (named after Marion county in Oregon) are perhaps the best known. What they all share is a deep purple, almost black color and an equally deep flavor. They have a woodsy note that is particularly delicious in tarts and jams.
Blackberries are in season starting in May through July.
Blueberries
Photo © Molly Watson
Blueberries are plump dots of tart sweetness. Wild blueberries tend to be smaller and have more concentrated flavor, cultivated blueberries are bigger and juicier. Watch out, however, for flavorless blueberries, which have become all too common. Luckily, most vendors at farmers markets will give you a taste of their wares before you buy.
Blueberries are in season from June through August.
Gooseberries
Gooseberries are small pebble-like green berries with a silvery cast and a sour-tart hit. Because of their intense flavor they are best in jams, pies and other highly sweetened dishes. Gooseberries can also be used - like cranberries - to make sauces that go well with duck and game.Gooseberries grow in cooler but not harsh climates where they are in season from July into September.
Huckleberries
Huckleberries are teeny tiny deep purple-blue berries that are remarkably sweet. They are great with cream, sprinkled on ice cream, or used in pies, tarts, jams, and sauces.Look for huckleberries in August and September. They are most widely available in the Pacific Northwest.
Raspberries
Photo © Molly Watson
Strawberries
Photo © Molly Watson
Perfectly ripe strawberries are best eaten out of hand. To jazz them up a bit pour some heavy cream or good-quality balsamic vinegar over them. Another favorite quick treat is to dip strawberries in sour cream or plain yogurt and then into a bit of brown sugar. Strawberries are also delicious on cereal, as a shortcake, or in pies and tarts. Strawberries match up nicely with other berries, melons, and tropical fruits in a simple fruit salad.
Strawberries from California and Florida are available all year round, but ripe local berries are at their best during their traditional season between April and July.
