Every year, blueberries work their way into our hearts and homes as a perfect warm-weather treat. Sweet, nutritious and incredibly popular, many consider these berries a favorite. Blueberries can be enjoyed fresh, frozen or baked into a cobbler.

SELECTION AND PREPARATION

When you stop by your local PlacerGROWN farmers’ market to purchase a bundle of blueberries, ask your producer for ones that maintain a consistent color of blue, as blueberries that are dull in color tend to be soft and will not store as long. The fruit may be purchased at farmers’ markets year-round in Placer County, including the Saturday market in Auburn and the Tuesday market at the Fountains in Roseville. 

DID YOU KNOW?

A cup of blueberries contains 84 calories, four grams of fiber and 15 grams of carbohydrates; what’s more, they’re a great source of vitamins C and K, and manganese. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant quantity, in comparison with all fruits and vegetables, and help to reduce levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which is a crucial step of the heart disease process. This heart-healthy berry also has anti-adhesives that help combat bacteria like E. coli and increase antioxidant levels inside the body.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Spring Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Recipe by Courtney McDonald

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, cold, diced into pea-sized pieces
• 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 3 baskets fresh blueberries, washed
• 2 baskets fresh raspberries, cleaned
• 2 baskets fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and cut in half
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar, or to taste
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, poppy seeds and diced cold butter. Using your fingers, add the buttermilk and then mix to a thick batter consistency. Set aside. Toss the berries with the sugar. Transfer to a baking dish and spoon on the cobbler dough. Bake in the preheated oven until cobbler topping is golden brown and bubbling. Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on each portion. Serves 6.

— Carol Arnold

For details on where to buy Placer County farm-fresh produce, wine, meat and other products, visit placergrown.org and foothillfarmersmarket.com.