WILD BLUEBERRIES
Wild blueberries are smaller but sweeter than their cultivated high-bush cousins. They tend to be a little tart but sweeten as they ripen. They pack a tasty punch of flavor high in vitamin c and antioxidants.
Cooked over cast iron and campfire coals, this is the quintessential summer dessert.
July
Peak Season
The RecipeS:
The RecipeS:
FIELD NOTES
How do I identify blueberries?
Where do I locate blueberries?
What is a ripe blueberry?
How should I properly pick and transport?
How do I properly clean blueberries?
How do I freeze or preserve blueberries?
HOW TO BE THE BLUEBERRY
Blueberries peak ripening is late July and early August.
Good summer crops are boosted by above average snowpack, early spring temperatures and frequent summer precipitation.
Two varieties of these low growing fruit bushes carpet open sunlit spaces. They prefer sandy, acidic soil, more common in the coniferous forests of the northeast Arrowhead region.
Take a weekend trip into the Superior National Forest or Boundary Waters canoe country. Seek out open spaces along hiking trails and forest roads. These early colonizers will be some of the first to repopulate recently logged or burned areas. Take a closer look at rocky outcroppings, hillsides and pine woodland clearings with thin cover.
The wood twigged bushes will grow between six inches and two feet fall, with short, oblong leaves 2-4 cm long, finely toothed and alternating on the stem. One variety has velvety leaves, the other are shiny. Clusters of white or pinkish flowers yield deep blue berries up to 10mm in diameter when ripe; white, green or pale blue when still immature.
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR BLUEBERRIES
After picking;
- Leave in an open container where moisture doesn’t form.
- Do not wash the berries until just before using them, to prevent mushing.
- Keep them chilled, in a covered storage container, up to 10-14 days.
- Do not wash the berries before freezing them.
HOW TO FREEZE YOUR BLUEBERRIES
Freeze;
Spread the blueberries on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
Store;
Transfer the frozen berries to a freezer bag or airtight container. Try something with a pouring spout. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Defrost;
Empty the berries into a bowl (to catch the juices). Let sit until they reach room temperature, 1 hour. The berries will be soft. Use them in smoothies, pies, pancakes, or muffins.
The RecipeS:
GEAR GUIDE
FORAGE BASKET
For gathering walnuts.
HAMMER
For busting their husks.
KNIFE
For prying forth their fruit.
Equipment
HEAD
River rat bucket hat. Bonus points if it’s made from straw.
SUNGLASSES
A great all-around pair of fishing glasses includes the superior clarity of glass lenses with polarized, color-blocking technology that expose the presence of fish beneath the surface.
SHIRT
Tanks on the banks!
UNDERWEAR
Synthetic or wool briefs that wick moisture and prevent odor
SHORTS
Find a pair of durable, quick drying, stain resistant shorts with reinforced pockets.
FOOTWEAR
A hybrid sandal-water shoe with excellent traction allows optimal amphibious mobility.
Apparel
COMPLETE A BLUEBERRY HARVEST?
Get oot and after it.
You are how you eat.
