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The Kitchen Table

U-Pick Strawberries and Blueberries

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

12 years ago

Whether you pick your own or not.....fresh and delicious strawberries and blueberries are everywhere! I'm freezing a bunch whole for my daily fruit and veggie drinks by arranging them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and spraying them with water a couple of times to build up a little coat of ice around each berry. Then, I can toss a bunch in a freezer bag and they don't stick together.

I'm not much of a dessert eater or a jam maker but I'll have to make some shortcakes and maybe a berry custard pie. I'll dig out my recipes to share later.

What kinds of delicious things do you fix with this seasonal and healthy bounty?

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Comments (9)

alisande
12 years ago
Have you tried them without the water spray, Rhizo? I freeze blueberries, cherries, and grapes that way--in a single layer on a cookie sheet, but no water spray. They never stick together in their freezer containers or bags.

Our blueberries don't start bearing until sometime in July. We should have quite a few of our own this year, as my son planted four bushes in addition to our two older ones. Unfortunately, I won't be able to eat any. My solanine allergy is no fun!
Sue_va
12 years ago
"blueberries are everywhere!" and yet I'm wondering why I haven't been able to find my favorite cereal, Kellogg's Special K Blueberry recently.

Also, it was interesting that at Kroger this week, fresh Organic Blueberries were a dollar less than the others.

I have fond memories of me and my DM picking blueberries many years ago.

Sue
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Thank you both for your answers! I think I will eventually end up moving the strawbs a little further away from the blueberries, so they don't get over-acidified. That's a good tip about the alfalfa meal, blueberrier. What is Calcium 25? I wasn't expecting anything of the strawberry seeds I planted last year, so it wasn't a matter of patience. It was more like "(shrug)let's see what happens." I planted them in February, and by May I was very pleased at the strong, sturdy plants that resulted. The variety is "Fresca" from John Scheepers Garden Seeds, if you'd like to try it.
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When we lived in Dallas we used to go to a place outside Bonham. In the early years and if you timed it just right, you could go down one side of the farm-to-market road and pick your own peaches/plums and stop at a veggie stand for fantastic ears of corn. Go down a little further and on the other side you'd find Walker's place for blueberries. Mrs. Walker was a sweet, sweet lady and my girls loved going to pick there. She has passed away (as the post indicates), but her family is keeping the fields open in her honor. Walkers Blueberries - No pesticides are used, blueberries, porta-potties 2933 Fm 274, Ravenna, TX 75476. Phone: 903-505-0118 . Alternate Phone: 903-583-4739. Email: jalvizo1@yahoo.com. Open: 7 am until 12 noon, most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays beginning after June 10, 2014, until approximately mid - July; Please call the day before your planned trip to hear an announcement about availability. Directions: From the Dallas area, take Highway 121 to Bonham, Texas. From Bonham, take Highway 78 North approximately 10 miles. Turn left (west) on Farm-to-Market Road South to Mulberry. Go about 2.5 miles and turn left at 2933 FM 274 where you see the white Walkers' Blueberries sign on the left in the fence row. The blueberry patch is about a quarter mile down the dirt road, on the left. Click here for a map and directions. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, only. The family regrets to inform our long-time customers that Mrs. Walker has passed away. Her family is keeping the berry patch open in her honor. We may not be able to answer the phone, but if you email us or leave a phone message, we will get back to you. (UPDATED: May 23, 2014) (UPDATED: May 26, 2013) (UPDATED: June 12, 2013) Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll down for Fannin County blueberries
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lucillle
12 years ago
I froze blackberries and mulberries, enough for a couple of pies. But I ate about 4 times what I froze, just snacking as I picked a little each day.
Marilyn Sue
12 years ago
If and when my black raspberries are ripe I will freeze them for pies. If I had strawberries I would make freezer jam and fresh strawberry pie.

Sue
morz8 - Washington Coast
12 years ago
I buy strawberries in bulk from a local farm, it's not U-pick nor are their raspberries. Same with blueberries but ours are a little later with the local growers 1-2 hours away. The blue berry people tell us to freeze as is, not to wash, if possible not even repackage but just put the cardboard box directly into the freezer. I take them out as needed, they don't stick, don't become soft with thawing.

I almost wish they didn't recommend freezing straight from the fields, washed measured berries on hand would save a little time on a busy day.

Blackberries I pick myself, or some of them, DH really picks faster and climbs around better than I do - wild berries. Those I wash, bag and freeze, same day picked no matter what time we get home:) He reminds me he's picked more, I remind him I've still handled every single berry before they go into the freezer, not to mention cooking them into pies, desserts, and in a banner year, jelly.
oldfixer
12 years ago
Will be hoping for straw & blue pickin' soon. Glad they don't weigh the pickers! For any feast they are laden with sugar and whipped cream.
User
12 years ago
Stopped and bought fresh peaches from a road side stand today.

Dh just texted me to ask if I wanted to pick blueberries with his family next weekend.
sheilajoyce_gw
12 years ago
DS gave me two blueberry shrubs that he planted in large pots for my patio. This is the 3rd year, and we have had the largest crop so far. Mostly, we just snack on them straight from the bush since the crop is limited with only 2 bushes.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
Original Author
12 years ago
CUSTARD PIE WITH BERRIES

Preheat oven to 350ÃÂ°F, have all ingredients at room temperature

1 graham cracker crust (9 inch)

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch salt

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup blueberries (or other berries)

Beat eggs, sugar, and salt until pale...not foamy. Slowly beat in milk and vanilla. Put berries into bottom of crust, pour custard over berries, bake for 40-45 minutes, or until center is set. Cool to room temperature before cutting.

GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST (9 inch)

1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

5 T. unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cups sugar

Pinch salt

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Fri, Jun 13, 14 at 8:05

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