Winter berry fest

My freezer is full of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries from last summer.

The blueberries, I hand picked myself by the boxful at Blueberry Acres in Sheffield Mills, the strawberries I purchased directly by the flat from the local growers and the raspberries were on sale at the grocery store.

So now my winter is full of possibilities. Berry full as matter of fact.

For starters, I can top my breakfast cereal with berries, I can add nutrition and colour to my smoothies and I can bake a taste of summer. We may take for granted the fact that we can enjoy beautiful berries in the middle of winter, but really, it is nothing short of a miracle!

When the sweet, tart taste of strawberries fill my palate, I am taken far away from the winter doldrums, transported to a field of summer sunshine and warmth. All that washing and chopping and bagging was so worthwhile.

I also have several jars of freezer jam left. Preserving in the freezer requires less sugar and overall, much less labour than traditional jam making, which I find rather appealing. Plus the taste is fresh and flavourful.

Berries in general freeze very well, although they tend to lose their shape in the process. If you plan to use the berries for baking, sauces or smoothies, this may not matter, but if you want them to retain their shape, simply freeze them on baking sheets and bag them once they are frozen solid.

The advantages of freezing your own berries are many. First of all, there is the cost effective advantage of buying abundant local fruit in season. But mostly it is for the fresh taste of summer, all year ‘round.

For freezing, wash the berries and gently pat dry. Freeze on trays then transfer into freezer bags and seal. Leave a bit of space at the top to allow for expansion. I lightly sprinkle a small amount of sugar onto my strawberries, plus I hull them prior to freezing. As for blueberries, I simply place the entire box into the freezer and scoop out what I need. They remain firm and separate, making for easy access. As for the raspberries, I just placed the individual containers from the grocery store into the freezer. Otherwise, proceed as you would for strawberries, although I do not add sugar.

So now what? Try a Mixed Berry Cobbler for a delectable and nutritious dessert. Use the berries frozen and don’t bother to defrost. Or try a crisp, smoothie, pudding, cake, daiquiri, salad, muffins, fruity rum punch, oatmeal, pancakes or crepes, sauce or just add ice cream for a yummy dessert. I add frozen berries to my water instead of ice cubes for a hint of flavour.

Kids love to eat berries right out of the freezer! Or better yet, make a smoothie then pour into popsicle molds for a healthy, kid-friendly treat.

Wow your guests by serving slightly thawed mixed berries on a plate drizzled with heated chocolate sauce. No fuss, no mess.

For a simple Berry Sauce to pour over cake, yogurt or ice cream, simply cook a mixture of frozen berries over medium heat (no need to add water). Add sugar to taste and cook until dissolved, about five minutes. Whisk two tablespoons of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch and add to mixture, stirring until thickened. Use as a topping for just about anything!’s the berries!