Have a berry good summer
With summer officially in full swing, it’s time to enjoy that sweetest fruit of all – the berry. Whether you love strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, the months from May to September offer an abundant harvest of berry goodness.
And best of all, fiber-rich berries are a delicious source of disease-fighting antioxidants. Here are a few tips on how to buy them, store them, and put them to good use.
How to buy:
At the grocery store or farmers’ market, choose dry, plump, and brightly colored berries with no obvious rotten spots. Do avoid containers with juice stains – this is a sure sign that the berries either have been battered or are overripe. Also be on the lookout for moldy spots – mold travels like wildfire through berries, so avoid containers with signs of mold.
How to store:
This is important because berries are quite perishable and quite fragile…
Until you are ready to eat your yummy berries, store them unwashed in the refrigerator in a covered container. As I said above, fresh berries don’t last long and are best used within two days of purchase. Berries can also be stored in the freezer for up to four months. To freeze, spread the berries out on a cookie tray and freeze before consolidating into a smaller container.
How to prepare them for Eating:
When you’re ready to use your berries, you can enjoy them as is, or with a dollop of let’s say organic whipped cream or topping. Another idea is to top the berries with yogurt, or perhaps mixed in with some good healthy high-fiber, whole-grain cereal. Berries can even be added to salads.
Need more ideas? Or, have any ideas? Please leave a comment.
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Let's get lean!Kathy Strahan
