Nutritional Benefits Berries are low in calories, high in fiber, and they contain vitamins and minerals your body needs. Strawberries are the vitamin C king of berries. One cup of strawberries contains over 100 milligrams of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and keeps cold and flu bugs at bay. Raspberries are also rich in vitamin C and have been scientifically shown to have anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Blueberries have been extensively studied for their antioxidant properties, which may improve brain function, help to prevent certain cancers and lower cholesterol. Blackberries contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants found in fruit, including vitamin C, anthocynanins (which give the berries their dark color) and ellagic acid, which aids in skin health. And you can’t beat the taste! Use frozen berries in baked goods, atop pancakes or oatmeal, mixed into yogurt, or blended into a smoothie for a bit of sweet summer sun during winter months.

ü Berries are one of the four sacred food groups in Ojibwe culture along with wild meats, wild rice, and vegetables.

ü Raspberries and blackberries belong to the genus Rubus, a part of the rose family.

ü North America is the world’s leading producer of blueberries, accounting for more than 80% of all production.

ü The Ojibwe word for strawberry, ode’imin, means “heart berry.”

February

Did you know…?

CHEQUAMEGON BAY

Frozen Berries

Lorem Ipsum Dolor [Issue] :: [Date]

2

Raspberries and blackberries grow up off the ground, so they do not need to be washed before freezing. In fact, washing these berries will often times turn them to mush. Gently roll berries onto a cookie sheet, sorting out any soft or broken berries for jam. Put cookie sheets into the freezer until berries are firm, then take out and roll berries into freezer bags.

Strawberries should be rinsed in cold water to remove sand and dirt. Remove the green hulls from the berries with a paring knife. Sort out any soft or bruised fruit and mash these for jam. The rest can go right into freezer bags or a plastic ice cream pail. Freezing them whole will require a little more room in your freezer, but they will freeze loose this way and then you can easily scoop out the amount you need for snacking and baking.

The easiest way to freeze blueberries, is to be pick them directly into a plastic ice cream pail and then put the pail in the freezer. Fold frozen berries into your muffin or pancake batter and they will thaw as they bake.

Play with your food Forage for the following berries in English and Ojibwe and the months they are ripe for picking in the Chequamegon Bay. STRAWBERRY

ODE’IMIN

JUNE

RASPBERRY

MISKOMIN

JULY

BLUEBERRY

MIIN

AUGUST

BLACKBERRY

ODATAGAAGOMIN

SEPTEMBER

Next summer plan to pick-your-own or buy ready-picked berries at these local farms. Eat them fresh and freeze the rest so your family can enjoy the taste and health benefits of local berries all year long! Bayfield Apple Co. (raspberries) 779-5700 Blue Vista Farm (rasp & blueberries) 779-5400 Don’s Berry Patch (strawberries) 373-2053 Erickson’s Orchard (strawberries) 779-5438 Good Earth Gardens (blue & blackberries) 779-5564 Hauser’s Superior View (ready-picked only) 779-5404 Homestead Gardens (ready-picked only) 373-2770 Highland Valley Farm (rasp & blueberries) 779-5446 Northwind Farm (straw, rasp, blue & black) 779-3254 Rabideaux’s Fruit Co. (straw & raspberries) 779-5509 Rocky Acres (straw, rasp, blue & blackberries) 779-3332

*** Tips for

Freezing Berries

BUY LOCAL

H K A L S F O B K N X Q O Y C O O L F F T K X J D Y M R V D W U C R J I A X R I Y R R E B W A R T S Y R S N K E C ‘ U Y A V R O E K I G K B G I G L R L N B O I K H U K A M E U B U P M M I S M A C B I V J X S I B T I G N E A F N C L A N O I O F U C Z L Y T J R V Y M W L E N U J B B O J S I G B S E P T E M B E R N E I S U A M M J H D N L

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