Summer Season Feature: Blueberries

Hello Everyone!

This week’s featured seasonal food item is blueberries. Blueberries are native to the Americas and grew in the wild during the summer until they were first domesticated by a farmer in New Jersey in the early 20th century. Native Americans often foraged wild blueberries and valued their nutritional and potential medicinal qualities. Blueberries grow and are harvested in North America from April – September, and they are harvested in South America from October – March. Other parts of the world also grow blueberries according to their summer season.

Blueberries are quite nutritious and are only 80 calories per cup. Blueberries are a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and manganese. Blueberries contain phytonutrients called polyphenols. Polyphenols are what give blueberries their vibrant color, and some studies claim that polyphenols can deter heart disease and diabetes, protect vision, prevent some cancers, and contain anti inflammatory properties. Blueberries also contain other antioxidants that may delay cell aging and prevent the formation of blood clots.

Blueberries can be consumed in a variety of ways in both their raw and cooked form. They can be purchased either frozen or fresh. Sometimes frozen blueberries are more nutritious because they are often picked and frozen at their peak, providing their optimal nutritional boost.

Some of my favorite ways of consuming blueberries is listed below:

• washed and eaten alone or with blackberries and strawberries
• homemade blueberry jelly/chutney/jam/compote
• blueberry pancakes/waffles
• watermelon pizza with blueberries as a topping
• as an ingredient in a smoothie

What are some of your favorite ways of consuming blueberries?