Harvest of the Month: Blueberries
Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious addition to any day. They rank the highest of any fruit for antioxidants, and one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly 25% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C. Not only are they full of good nutrition, but they are also low in calories, less than 100 for a full cup.
How to Select
Choose blueberries that are completely blue in color with no hint of redness. Don’t be afraid if you notice a shimmery, silver coating on your blueberries; that’s just their natural protection from the environment. Blueberries should be fully ripe when you purchase or pick them since they won’t continue to ripen once you get them home.
How to Store
Store fresh blueberries in the refrigerator, unwashed and in a rigid container covered with plastic wrap. Water on fresh blueberries speeds up the rotting process, so don’t wash them until you use them. When stored properly, blueberries should stay good up to two weeks.
How to Prepare
Blueberries are a versatile berry and could be served in both sweet and savory dishes either cooked or raw. Before eating or cooking blueberries, they should be rinsed in cold water and then dried in a single layer on a towel. Once they are dry they are ready to enjoy!
Try blueberries in the recipe for Blueberry Cucumber Salad from U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.
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