There are many ways to enjoy blackberries. You can eat them alone, in combination with other fruits or use them to make jam. You can combine them with other ingredients, such as yogurt and seeds, to create a healthy and delicious summer dish. Choosing and preparing them is not a simple task, but it is important to do it in the right way to guarantee you a tasty experience.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Selecting the Best Blackberries
Step 1. Buy or harvest blackberries
The plants from which blackberries are born are widely spread throughout the Italian territory. Some people prefer to turn to the greengrocer downstairs, while others like to personally pick them from the plant.
There are people who can distinguish the taste of organic blackberries from those grown with the use of pesticides and preservatives to keep pests away and prevent mold growth. In general, fruits that come from organic farming offer greater health benefits
Step 2. Make sure the blackberries are ripe
Typically, blackberries are sold in clear plastic containers that are perforated to allow air to pass through. It is important to check all sides of the container to make sure the blackberries in sight are intact and free from mold.
- If you have the opportunity to harvest blackberries directly from the plant, choose them already ripe and without mold. Remember that once removed from the bramble, blackberries stop ripening.
- Blackberries are seasonal fruits. Depending on the latitude, they ripen in midsummer or early autumn. When they are not in season, you need to select them with particular care to avoid unripe fruit.
Step 3. Discard unripe or moldy blackberries
Unlike other fruits that can be picked even when they are not yet ripe, such as bananas and avocados, blackberries picked early remain unripe and have an uninviting appearance. Here is a list of clues that can help you understand that blackberries may be moldy or unripe:
- Temperature - if blackberries have been stored at room temperature, they may have developed mold;
- Presence of a whitish down on the surface;
- Fruits discolored or stained;
- Dents;
- Soft or shriveled parts
- Loss of juices.
Part 2 of 3: Wash the Blackberries
Step 1. Prevent mold growth
If you don't intend to eat or use all the blackberries on the same day you picked or bought them, unused blackberries can go bad very quickly. If you leave them at room temperature they can get moldy in a few hours.
- You should eat or use blackberries within a couple of days even if you have stored them in the refrigerator, otherwise you risk them going bad.
- If you want them to last longer, you can wash and freeze them. They will also keep in the freezer for several months - just be sure to wash them first!
- If you intend to eat them fresh or use them to make jam, wash the blackberries just before eating them. Once washed, berries tend to rot quickly.
Step 2. Rinse the blackberries one at a time just before eating them
It is also recommended to wash them before freezing them. If, on the other hand, you intend to keep them in the refrigerator, it is important that they are dry, otherwise they will mold in a short time.
Be careful not to crush the blackberries when washing them. They are very soft, so treat them with extreme delicacy
Step 3. Eat blackberries
They are very tasty and you can use them in many different ways. You can enjoy them alone or in combination with other fruits; if you prefer, you can use them to enrich an appetizer or salad. Another option is to turn them into a delicious jam. Combined with yogurt they represent a healthy and tasty snack or breakfast.
You can find many other uses and recipes by doing a simple online search
Part 3 of 3: Using Blackberries
Step 1. Eat them plain
Bite them only on the sides if you want to avoid the central part where the seeds are enclosed and which can sometimes be a bit bitter.
- Alternatively, you can put them in your mouth whole and fully savor their taste, including the core and seeds.
- Blackberries are a powerhouse of vitamin C and other essential nutrients. If you want to reap the maximum health benefits, you should eat them whole.
Step 2. Make the blackberry jam
If you have plenty of them, you can easily turn them into a tasty jam. You can also use frozen blackberries. With a few simple steps, you will have a delight to spread on toast for breakfast.
This simple recipe is valid for any variety of berries. In this case you only need a pot, a jar, blackberries and sugar. Cook the blackberries in the sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved. Let the jam simmer for 15 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat
Step 3. Use the blackberries to make a fruit salad
Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries have the ability to make your fruit mix special. You can combine blackberries with chunks of mango and melon to impress your guests with different textures and colors. In no time, you can get a nutritious and refreshing dish, especially appreciated in summer.
- You can combine blackberries with low-fat yogurt and granola to sweeten them naturally, or you can use them to garnish pancakes. They will make every breakfast and snack special!
- Remember that if you want, you can avoid the central part of the fruit, the one in which the seeds are contained, as it can sometimes have a bitter aftertaste.
Step 4. Make a blackberry tart
Like apples and strawberries, blackberries can also be used as the main ingredient of a dessert in the summer. Serve the blackberry tart topped with a cloud of whipped cream to make it even more delicious.
You can use a ready-made cake base if you want to make a blackberry tart in a few simple steps. The ingredients required in addition to blackberries are flour, milk, sugar and a ready-made cake base. Combine the blackberries, sugar and flour, pour the cream over the base and bake it in the oven for 15-30 minutes. In no time you can serve a fabulous cake
Advice
- Some farms offer the opportunity to go and reap their own fruits. Search online and book your visit.
- Be careful because blackberry juice is easy to get stained.
- For maximum health benefits, blackberries should be eaten whole. All parts of the plant are safe to eat, including the branches and leaves.
