Raspberries are one of summer’s jewels. Some of BC’s farmers have been growing and harvesting these treasures for 4 generations. The more common red raspberry varieties are incredibly easy to love. If you happen to come across them, you’ll find the golden and black raspberry varieties are just as delicious.
As if their flavour isn’t enough, raspberries also contain a host of health benefits. They are a source of iron, potassium, vitamins C and A and a bounty of other phytonutrients and antioxidants that help guard against inflammation. Even the leaves of the raspberry plant are healthy and have been used in traditional medicine for all sorts of ailments.
Common raspberry uses are jams, jellies, compote, chutney and syrups. They’re also great for beverages like lemonade, mojitos, even healthy lassies and smoothies. Then there are desserts and baked goods, muffins, puddings and pies. Raspberries can star solo in these sweet treats or you can mix them other ingredients like rhubarb, blueberries, strawberries or blackberries.
Breakfast dishes are the perfect place for raspberries. Pancakes and crepes are the more obvious options. But did you know you can also make a sweet omelet with raspberries? Mix up the eggs the same you would for a regular omelet then just before you fold it over, add in fresh raspberries that have been tossed in a sweetener.
On those hot summer days when cooking with heat seems like a crime, try your hand at a chilled coconut soup with raspberries. Use the berries to make a vinaigrette for your summer salads as well.
Other uses include infusing simple syrups or vinegars (apple cider or wine) with raspberries. Even experiment with infusing booze with raspberries; vodka, gin or grappa will work fine. Think glazes for savoury sauces for meat, fish or vegetables or sweet glazes for cheesecake, ice cream and sorbets. You can event make raspberry salsa. Don’t forget about risotto, either! Fresh raspberries paired with Manchego cheese are heavenly in a risotto.
Even though the applications for raspberries are endless, nothing quite beats eating raspberries by the handful when they’ve just been picked.
This August, come and meet Antonio at Feast of Fields Okanagan. He’ll be there with his sunglasses on and smile on his face.
