Raspberries and blackberries are caneberries, which grow on long arching or trailing stems called canes.
■ Refrigerate berries in a covered shallow container. Use raspberries within 1 to 3 days; blackberries within 3 to 5 days.
■ Rinse berries under cool running water just before using. Moisture during storage speeds spoilage.
❁ Quality raspberries and blackberries are dry, plump and firm. Shallow containers help prevent crushing.
❁ Avoid berries that are moldy, crushed or shriveled and containers with juice on the bottom.
When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
❁ rinse berries under cool running water.
❁ mash berries with a fork or potato masher.
❁ measure and mix ingredients.
■ Add berries to cold cereal or hot whole-grain cereal like oatmeal.
■ Fold berries into bread, muffin, or pancake batter.
■ Top green salads with berries.
■ Eat fresh or frozen berries as a snack.
Ingredients
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (raw)
1 cup low-fat yogurt
½ cup non-fat or 1% milk
½ cup berries, fresh or frozen
½ cup chopped apple
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, mix oats, yogurt, and milk.
Clean berries. Pick out any green, mushy or moldy berries. Place berries in a strainer and rinse fully. Pat berries dry with a paper towel or lay out on a shallow pan to dry fully.
When fresh berries aren’t in season, buy frozen. They’ll cost less, and will keep for 8 to 12 months. Frozen berries work great folded into bread, muffin, or pancake batter. Or use them in smoothies, or eat them as a snack.
❁ Berries are in season, and might cost less, from about July to September. Buy extra and freeze for later.
❁ Choose firm, plump, fully colored berries. Avoid green berries as well as mushy berries with any mold.
When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
❁ rinse berries under cool running water.
❁ mash berries with a fork or potato masher.
❁ measure and mix ingredients.
Raspberries and blackberries are caneberries, which grow on long arching or trailing stems called canes.
Raspberries have a hollow center when picked. Red varieties are the most common, but other colors (black, purple, gold) might be found at farmers markets or farm stands.
❁ Quality raspberries and blackberries are dry, plump and firm. Shallow containers help prevent crushing.
❁ Avoid berries that are moldy, crushed or shriveled and containers with juice on the bottom.
