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Bon vivants, rejoice. Living the good life just got easier. Summer berry season is here.
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, yum!
Eating local is always fun, but right now, it is even more fun than ever.
We are especially lucky in Quebec. Did you know that this province is one of the largest producers of strawberries in Canada?
Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this summer’s berry harvest:
- Eat your berries fresh. Surely one of life's greatest pleasures!
- Top with whipped cream or crème fraîche. Classic decadence.
- Serve dipped in fair trade chocolate. Responsible luxury.
- Serve on meringues made from local, organic eggs, ideally bought from a drop-off point for a family farmer.
- Pick your own. And while you’re out and about, stop by an organic farm for a farm visit (The farm D-Trois-Pierres in Cap-Saint-Jacques belongs to our family farmer network and is open to visitors).
- Buy your berries directly from the producer, either via an organic basket, or from a stand. Before signing up with an organic basket from one of our family farmers, ask if they offer berries. Family farmers who don’t grow their own berries often partner with nearby farmers who do.
- Shopping at the grocery store? Make sure that the berries are locally grown. When in doubt, ask the manager.
- Make a crisp, crumble or slump.
- Bake a pie.
- Assemble a strawberry shortcake.
- Feeling adventurous? Make your own jams and jellies.
- Add fruit to your morning cereal or yogurt.
- Whip up delicious smoothies by day, daiquiris by night.
- Jazz up your salads with raspberries.
- Choose organic!
- Grow your own, in the garden or on the balcony.
- Plan your vacation based on the growing season, e.g., schedule a visit to Lac-Saint-Jean at the end of August to coincide with the wild blueberry harvest.
- Freeze your berries to keep the memory of summer alive.
The berry season is also a great opportunity to teach your children the concept of eating according to the season.
Finally, berries are rich in antioxidants, i.e., good for you!
There are so many things to love about berries, that it's possible that we have forgotten something. Tell us what you love about berries in the comments section.
Bon appétit!
