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RASPBERRIES WILL START RIPENING AROUND THE END OF
AUGUST. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR EXACT RIPENING DATES AND TIMES. PICKING HOURS: PRICES: Will be set closer to harvest 1 pound minimum charge per picking container Updated 4/26/10 WOW, WHAT ARE THOSE GIANT YELLOW AND BLACK SPIDERS IN THE RASPBERRY PATCH?! The biological name is
Argiope, but most people around here call them the
garden or banana spider. They typically weave large flat webs
between
plants. Their diet consists of whatever they catch in their
webs.
They are not agressive and are not poisonous to people. Since
they are
not agressive, it is very rare for them to bite, unless they
feel threatened or are pressed up against the skin. So if you're
afraid of spiders like I am, just leave them alone and give them plenty
of space and they won't bother you. They're just doing their
job as organic insecticide.
This is one of our favorite raspberry recipes from the Honey Hill Orchard Cookbook.* It is a delicious light summer pie. creamy
raspberry pie 1 c. sugar 1 c. powdered sugar 3 tbsp. cornstarch 1 graham cracker pie 1/2 c. water 8 oz. cream cheese, softened Mash about 2 cups raspberries to measure 1
cup. Combine mashed berries, sugar,
cornstarch and
water in saucepan. Bring to a boil,
stirring constantly. Cook and stir 2
minutes longer. Cool to room
temperature. Meanwhile, beat cream
cheese, whipped topping and powdered sugar. Spread
on graham cracker crust. Top with
remaining fresh raspberries. Pour cooled
raspberry sauce over top. Refrigerate 3
hours. *The Honey Hill Orchard Cookbook is available in the Apple Barn Country Store. Raspberry
picking is easy and fun for everyone.
RASPBERRY FACTS •Raspberries are a very
healthy
food; they naturally have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are a
good
source of iron and folate (which is used in treatment of low red blood
cells
or anemia). Raspberries contain a natural substance called
ellagic
acid, which is an anti-carcinogenic (cancer-preventing) compound.
Raspberries
have been shown to lower high blood cholesterol levels and slow release
of
carbohydrates into the blood stream of diabetics. They are also
high
in potassium, vitamin A and calcium and contain about 50% of the
recommended
daily allowance of vitamin C.
• Raspberries are high in fiber. One half to one pound of raspberries per day can provide 20 to 30 grams of fiber which is adequate for an adult daily nutrition requirement. • Raspberries: 1 pint =2 cups = 3/4 lb which is good for about 2 to 4 servings. • The USDA says 1 cup has about 64 calories! • Raspberries are so expensive in the grocery store because they bruise easily, spoil quickly and do not ship well. One of the reasons it is much better to pick your own! • 2 quarts (8 cups) of raspberries are needed for a 9" pie. Tips on how to pick raspberries 1. Gently grasp the berry with your fingers and thumb, and tug gently. If it is ripe, it will come off easily in your hand. 2. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Berries are more fragile than eggs and mush together if not handled gently. 3. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Tips to keep in mind when purchasing berries 1. Select pump, firm, fully red berries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked. 2. Be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries quckly mold when left at room temperature and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator. 3. Cool raspberries as soon as possible after picking. Raspberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel. 4. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling. 5. Raspberries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as soon as possible after purchase. For best flavor and texture, consume them as soon as possible or freeze them for later use. Tips for freezing berries Place raspberries in a colander in a sink of water. Gently rinse berries. Lift colander from water and let berries drain. Place berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet and put in freezer. When berries are frozen, transfer to freezer bags. Berries will not stick together and will be easy to remove from the bag. |
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