William Penn Life, 2008 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2008-07-01 / 7. szám
fhe tfunprlm Kitehet season runs from mid-May to October, but this month—July--is National Blueberry Month so go out and celebrate with a pint of blueberries. Blueberries are also known as a "super fruit" which means they are very healthy for you. They contain antioxidants, rich nutrients, iron, vitamins C and E, anthocyanins and phytochemicals as well as a very appealing taste. The first blueberries were cultivated in New Jersey, but Maine produces most of the blueberries in the U.S. taking 50,000 beehives to pollinate the crop! Strawberries are a red, juicy, conical-shaped fruit that is actually a member of the rose family. They have grown wild for years in America and Europe. The plant was cultivated for the first time during the 1200's. The main berry in America is in the family we call the Virginia strawberry. The most flavorful in the world are the not-so-big Alpine strawberries found in France. Smaller berries are much more flavorful because they contain less water and more natural juice. Fresh berries are available year round and should be washed lightly just before serving. They may be refrigerated for two days and contain calcium, iron, and lots of vitamin C. Raspberries, out of all the berries, have the most intense flavor and are the most delicate. There are three main varieties: black, gold and red. Red is the most abundant variety we enjoy. They are available from May through November. As they are very fragile the berries should be rinsed very, very lightly or even misted then set in a single layer on paper towels to Practical Pointer When making any type of fruit sauce, always do two things: (I) use superfine sugar that will mix better with the fruit, and (2) save some whole pieces which you can mix in, giving your sauce eye appeal as well as good taste. dry. They are best served fresh as their shelf life in refrigeration is shorter than all of the berries. B and C vitamins, folic acid, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese are contained in the berry. Blackberries (or Black Raspberries), because they grow in the wild on sticker bushes called brambles, are also known as a bramble. The largest of the berry family, they are available from May to August, which is a very short season. The maximum refrigeration should be a day to keep the fruit from losing its flavor. They can be very intense in flavor or bland depending upon the growing season and conditions. Black raspberries in the U.S. come mainly from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. In France, the smaller European variety of this berry is used in the production of the world famous liqueur, Chambord Royal. Vitamins A, C, E and K are in the fruit along with minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium which keeps our bodies healthy. Gooseberries are native to Europe and Asia, grow on bushes and are large and tart, not sweet. They possess a distinct flavor that makes them an ingredient in some fruit cakes. This berry is the strongest in nature and can take colder temperatures without spoiling. They also go well with foods where you want a flavor distinction between sweet and tart, such as gooseberries and vanilla ice cream. They can be white, yellow, red or green and have a smooth or fuzzy outer covering. The best gooseberries in the world can be found on the British Islands where they are grown to perfection. They are rare in the U.S. but can be grown in our climate during June, July and August. Canned green gooseberries are available year round in jams, jellies, pies and a dessert called "fool." They are high in dietary fiber vitamins C and A, potassium and magnesium. Class is almost over, so let's look at a few more things about berries. They make great jams, jellies, pies, fruit tarts and desserts. They're great on cheesecake and can be eaten all by When buying any type of berry, the berries should be firm to the touch with good color, not faded. Check the bottom of the container for stains that are caused by rotting fruit. Never leave a moldy berry in the container as it will spread and spoil the rest. They should be kept in refrigeration and not allowed to dry out. For the best flavor, berries should be used within two to three days. themselves. They stand alone or compliment many dishes in the form of a sauce or topping. They make great tasting wines and liqueurs as well as ales and beer. In the future I'll have a column about home canning and how to preserve your berries of summer to enjoy during the fall and winter months. Well done, everyone. Your assignment for the month is to try the recipes and be creative coming up with a few of your own. Chef Vilmos and I have already started working on the fruits of summer for next month. This month's trivia answer (which I'm sure you noticed already): Fool is a dessert made from gooseberries that have been pureed then combined with sweet cream in equal portions then chilled before serving. The tartness of the gooseberry is balanced with the sweet cream providing for a great summertime dessert. Have a great month! Jő fógza/íáos D**a "The Hungarian Kitchen " is a trademark of William S. Vasvary. William Penn Life, July 2008 9
