BERRIES
Berries are at their peak during the summer, especially on the east coast. When buying lots of berries, pick through the containers right away and discard any soft or mushy fruit.
One bad berry will spoil a container overnight!
To freeze:
Spread washed blueberries, blackberries and raspberries on a sheet tray. Hull and slice strawberries and arrange on a sheet tray. Freeze until solid and transfer to labeled zip top bags
FAVORITE USES
Puréed and added to homemade BBQ sauce, stirred into fresh oatmeal, added to pies, layered into trifles
MELONS
Watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews are plentiful, sweet and refreshing in the summer months. Cube and freeze any leftovers for an anytime burst of summer. Melons should be large, heavy for their size, and solid. A honeydew or cantaloupe that makes a sloshing sound is overripe, while a perfectly ripe one will have a slight melon scent. Watermelons should have a creamy colored spot where it laid on the ground to ripen. Old wives’ tales predict a sweet melon will sound hollow when tapped.
To freeze:
Slice of rind. For seeded melons, scoop and discard seeds and pulp. Slice flesh into cubes. Spread on a sheet tray and freeze until solid.
Transfer to a large ziplock bag until ready to use.
FAVORITE USES
Agua fresca, in place of ice cubes in drinks, eaten straight from the freezer!
RECIPE IDEA
Morning Melon Slush
Fruit and yogurt makes for a delicious morning pick me up. The addition of fresh baby spinach sneaks in some nutrition, while some sprigs of fresh herbs brighten a winter morning.
In a blender, combine the following:
- Handful baby spinach
- 1/4c coconut water
- 1/2c plain greek yogurt
- 1-1/2c frozen honeydew cubes
- Sprigs of mint or basil to taste
Purée until smooth and pour into glasses.
Click to page 3 to read about Eggplants!
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