Raspberries

Raspberries are a mid- to late-summer berry in the United States. Raspberry plants are members of the genus Rubus and are one of two varieties: summer berries that produce fruit in the midsummer or ever-bearing plants that produce berries from summer into the fall.

Buy It

Raspberries are highly perishable, thus you can purchase them only one or two days before use. Select the berries that have firm structure, and are fleshy and dark in color. Always avoid the ones which are soft, mushy or moldy. If you are buying berries that are already packed in a container, ensure that they are not packed too tightly as it can crush the berries and damage them. The container also should not have any stains or moisture, which indicates spoilage. Fresh ones are usually available from summertime through the beginning of fall.

Add It

Mix fresh raspberries in with creamy millet porridge for a sweet morning breakfast treat.

While at first glance it may seem unusual, the flavor combination created by sprinkling fresh raspberries with balsamic vinegar will send your palate to heaven.

Plain yogurt mixed with raspberries, honey, and freshly chopped mint is delicious eaten as is or used as a topping for waffles or pancakes.

Depending upon how much sweetener you use, homemade raspberry coulis can be used as a sauce for either savory poultry dishes or sweet desserts.

Prep It

Raspberries are easily perishable fruits, so a great deal of care should be taken while storing them. Before storing in the refrigerator, pick up and discard the berries that are molded or spoiled to avoid the spread of that spoiling to other berries. Place the unwashed, dry berries back in their original container or keep them lined with a paper towel and then cover it with plastic wrap. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for one or two days; never keep raspberries at room temperature or in strong sunlight for too long, it will spoil them quickly.

Raspberries freeze very well, thus making long-term storage easier. Wash them moderately in the low pressure of the sink sprayer so that they maintain their delicate shape and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Arrange the berries in a single layer on a flat sheet and place them in the freezer. Once the berries are frozen, you can keep the berries in a heavy plastic bag and store in the freezer where they will stay in a proper state up to one year. If you wish to preserve their bright color, add a little lemon juice to the raspberries.