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One pint fresh blackberries equals 1 1/2 to 2 cups blackberries (depending on size)
Select plump, well-colored blackberries. They should not have stem caps attached. If hulls are still attached, the berries are immature and were picked too early. Avoid berries showing any signs of decay.
When buying berries, shop with your nose. Always pick the plumpest and most fragrant berries. They should be firm, bright, and fresh looking with no mold or bruises. If possible, buy locally grown berries. They're likely to be sweeter and juicier than those that are bred for shipment.
Select berries that are in dry, unstained containers. (Stained containers may indicate over soft berries that are not freshly picked.) Mold on berries spreads quickly. Never leave a moldy berry next to a good one.
Do not wash or hull berries until you're ready to use them, and refrigerate unwashed berries as soon as possible.
Store them in a colander in the refrigerator. This allows the cold air to circulate around them.
Tip:
Remove berries from refrigerator one to two hours before serving. Berries
are at their fullest flavor at room temperature.
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"Oh, blackberry tart, with berries as big as your thumb, purple and black, and thick with juice, and a crust to endear them that will go to cream in your mouth, and both passing down with such a taste that will make you close your eyes and wish you might live forever in the wilderness of that rich moment."
- Richard Llewellyn
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Blackberry Hints, Tips, and Information
Blackberry Cobbler
This
cobbler is especially good using the fresh wild blackberries. When I am really
lazy or in a hurry, I'll substitute a buttermilk baking mix, such as Bisquick,
for the biscuit topping in this recipe.
Blackberry Cream Pie
This is a very easy and
delicious pie to make. I often use a purchased pie crust when I'm in a hurry.
Blackberry Pie
This pie is worth the scratches and stained hands you get when picking your own fresh blackberries.
Blackberry Jelly
What could be better than homemade blackberry jelly?
Blackberry Sour Cream
Coffee Cake
Blackberry Torte
A light and wonderful way to serve fresh blackberries for either
breakfast or as a dessert. I like to use the wild blackberries that grow in
Oregon.
Blackberry Upside-Down Cake
Remember the
Traditional Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
which was so popular in the '50s and '60s?
How about using your fresh blackberries instead? Use your cast-iron frying pan. The heavy pan keeps the butter from burning, and the handle makes it easy to flip the cake upside down when it is done.
Jim's Blackberry Barbecued Ribs
These ribs are so good that you'll lick your fingers clean!
Poached Chicken Breasts with Blackberry Cabernet Sauce
My friend, Roxanne Sienkiewicz of Newberg, Oregon made this wonderful poultry dish for our Gourmet Dinner Group. Recipe from
Winemakers Cookbook by Lou Seibert Pappas, published by Chronicle Books.
Zabaglione with Fresh Berries
Zabaglione [zah-bahl-YOH-nay], is a famous Italian dessert that is
usually served with sliced fresh fruit or berries. The French refer to
this as Sabayon and it is used as a dessert or a sauce. It is light and
refreshing and perfect as warm weather dessert.
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