What’s Fresh Now? (July 2007)
Preparing and eating foods that are locally in season offers numerous benefits. Not only will you and your family eat the freshest produce available, you will also receive the most for your food dollar.
The Rochester Farmer’s Market has a list of products which are available at certain times/months here:
http://65.169.22.124/Seasonal2.html
Blueberrries
The blueberry of the genus Vaccinium, is a native American species. In fact, the blueberry is one of the few fruits native to North America. For centuries, blueberries were gathered from the forests and the bogs by Native Americans and consumed fresh and also preserved. The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries and much folklore developed around them. The blossom end of each berry, the calyx, forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star; the elders of the tribe would tell of how the Great Spirit sent “star berries” to relieve the children’s hunger during a famine. Parts of the blueberry plant were also used as medicine. A tea made from the leaves of the plant was thought to be good for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to treat coughs. The juice also made an excellent dye for baskets and cloth. In food preparation, dried blueberries were added to stews, soups and meats. The dried berries were also crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat for flavor. Blueberries were also used for medicinal purposes along with the leaves and roots.
For more fun blueberry facts and recipies, visit the US Highbush Blueberry Council website.