Time to write about one of my favorite topics—berries.
This year, raspberries take their rightful place at the top of my list. The reason they’re winning accolades from me is ….drumroll please…. they grow everywhere in my yard. I’m almost able to pick these succulent crimson berries without leaving the house.
In fact, I was unloading the dishwasher the other day when I glanced out the window and spotted a cluster of huge ripe red raspberries growing not more than two feet from the end of the deck railing. Almost dropping a plate, I grabbed a container and ran out to garner these treasures before the pesky chipmunk residing in that section of the yard chomped them down. I returned to my kitchen chores feeling victorious. Talk about easy pickings.
It’s been that way all August. Earlier in the season, I had visions of serious blueberry picking—maybe revisiting that dream blueberry patch of younger days somewhere up the Gunflint when I picked gallons. But the energy and desire necessary for the task never materialized.
Then I discovered the raspberries growing everywhere in my yard. They’ve always been there. Not a big surprise. The edges of the driveway, garden and untrammeled woods between my house and my neighbors fill with wild raspberry bushes every summer, but the berries are usually smallish and not that abundant.
This year is different… maybe the cool summer… maybe the rain…whatever the reason, this year’s wild raspberry crop has put my garden variety to shame. The domestic berries are only in their first full season, but the biggest, juiciest and most plentiful berries I’ve found, are the wild ones growing outside the garden fence.
So, for the past few weeks, I’ve been picking and picking, and they just keep coming. Each day I first hit up the batch growing near my garden. Then, I amble around the yard, filling an old Folgers coffee can. I pluck from the bushes growing near the garden shed, then stroll down the driveway and pick more, being careful to pluck only from the higher branches in the areas where Mr. Magoo takes his daily walks.
Last weekend I figured the berries had reached their peak; that the season was over. But, this morning, I spotted some very desirable-looking berries next to my parked car and tonight will be checking them out.
A nice treasure of plump berries is already stored in my basement freezer, enough for tarts and jam with a few left over for pancakes. However, you won’t find gallons filling my freezer. I’ve managed to eat them while fresh using the following tried but true recipe.
Fill a bowl with as many raspberries as you like. Sprinkle with a dab of sugar. Cover with heavy cream.
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