For me, picking blueberries at a U-pick farm is one of the greatest joys of summer. It means a family excursion to the same farm we’ve been visiting for years! It’s easy to recruit helpers since picking blueberries is easy and fun, and we always have a friendly competition to see who picks the most. My daughter is the chief berry picker in our household—likely because she has the amazing discipline to not sample them as she goes. I can’t resist their sweet appeal, which seems to me a fine prize for coming in second or third. Then, when we get home, a Cape Cod Blueberry Pie is the first dessert out of the oven.
How to Pick Blueberries at a Farm
There are lots of different varieties of blueberries that ripen at different times, which makes it easy to hit the blueberry-picking harvest window. Picking blueberries is easier than picking many berries, since you don’t have to stoop over to pick them, and the berries aren’t hidden behind leaves. It’s also easy to spot ripe berries. They are solid blue and firm. Blueberries do not ripen further once picked (unlike these fruits that do continue to ripen), so avoid those with white or green on them, and discard berries that are soft and overripe.
How to Pick Blueberries at the Grocery Store
While blueberries at the store are rarely underripe, they can be overripe—which happens when they are picked and then stored for too long. Look for berries that are plump, with no wrinkled or sunken parts. Be sure to inspect all sides if they’re in a clear clamshell container.
How to Store Fresh Blueberries
Blueberries are more durable than other berries, and can last for 10 to 14 days if stored properly. Rinse them in a colander when you bring them home and remove any stems, then dry them on a sheet pan with paper towels to absorb the water. (You can also wash berries in a vinegar and water solution.) Put the blueberries in a container that can breathe, like this produce keeper, and refrigerate. If you’ve had them for more than a week, pick through the blueberries to find any soft, overripe fruit before using.
To keep the fruit as fresh as possible, don’t make any of these berry mistakes.
How to Freeze Blueberries
Blueberries freeze really well and are great to have on hand for all kinds of blueberry dessert recipes. Rinse and dry the blueberries on paper towels on a sheet pan, then place the pan in the freezer for 4-6 hours. Once frozen, pour the berries into a zip-close bag, label and re-freeze. They should be good for up to a year. You can enjoy the taste of summer months later in this Peach Blueberry Crumble Tart!
Recipes to Make with Fresh Blueberries
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Star-Studded Blueberry Pie
Family and friends say this patriotic pie is better than a local favorite from one of our best neighborhood restaurants. Sometimes, I switch things up and use gooseberries for half of the blueberries. —Nancy Barker, Silverton, Oregon
Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops
These delicious ice pops can also be made with raspberries or blackberries. The rosemary sprig and lemon zest bring another layer of flavor. The pops are quick, easy, kid-friendly and freezable. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Lemon Blueberry Biscuits
Lemon and blueberries make such a fresh and flavorful combination in all kinds of baked goods, especially these biscuits. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
White Balsamic Blueberry, Corn and Feta Salad
I'm not typically a huge fan of summer corn, but when it comes to this sweet, salty, refreshing salad, I can't put my fork down. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Mini Blueberry Tarts
I served this recipe to my family while we were on vacation and they were all amazed! The best part: I didn't spend tons of time on it thanks to refrigerated pie crust. Watch your mini tarts around the 13-minute mark to make sure they don't brown too quickly. If you like, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.—Allison Bell, Hillsdale, New Jersey
Blueberry-Blackberry Rustic Tart
My dad would always stop our car on the side of the road in Maine and say, "I smell blueberries." He had a pail ready. Then Mom would bake the wild berries in a cornmeal crust to make this homey tart. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal Cake
I lightened up this quick and easy dessert by making a few substitutions. Because the treat is so sweet, no one will know it's healthy, too.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California.
Cape Cod Blueberry Pie
We Northeasterners have been baking this pie since the 18th century. Settlers would’ve used little wild blueberries and topped it with cream. I do, too. —Nancy O'Connell, Biddeford, Maine
Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
When it comes to grilled chicken recipes, we love this refreshing salad in the summer. The real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. It goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt
If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Luscious Blueberry Jam
This perfectly spreadable blueberry jam boasts a beautiful dark color with a sweet, seasonal flavor. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Glazed Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Bursting with berries and drizzled with a light lemony glaze, these muffins are moist, tender and truly something special. This is one recipe you simply must try for family and friends. —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
Pair a slice of this moist lemon-blueberry cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a staple at our family barbecues. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
Blueberry Romaine Salad
I love to bring this delicious salad to school gatherings. The homemade dressing couldn't be simpler, so I whip it up in advance and just give it a quick toss with the other ingredients when I get to any event. —Kris Bristol, Charlotte, Michigan
Blueberry French Toast
A local blueberry grower shared this recipe with me, and it's the best breakfast dish I've ever tasted. With the cream cheese and berry combination, this French toast casserole reminds me of dessert. —Patricia Axelsen, Aurora, Minnesota
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
After sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
Red, White and Blue Summer Salad
Caprese and fresh fruit always remind me of summer. In this salad, I combine traditional Caprese flavors with summer blueberries and peaches. I also add prosciutto for saltiness, creating a balanced, flavor-packed side dish. —Emily Falke, Santa Barbara, California
Blueberry Lemon Trifle
A refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Blueberry Fruit Smoothie
This fruit smoothie recipe is one of my favorites. The yummy blend just might take you back to soda-fountain days…but it's a nutritious low-fat alternative to traditional malts, shakes and sodas. —Mary LaJoie, Glenoma, Washington
Blueberry Banana Bread
Blueberries and bananas combine in these tender, golden loaves. Whether you enjoy a slice as a snack or for breakfast, this bread is so flavorful, you won't need butter. —Sandy Flick, Toledo, Ohio
Spinach Blueberry Salad
Blueberries are a fun surprise in this salad. I received the recipe from a co-worker's wife, and it's become one of my favorites. —Heidi Gilleland, Lees Summit, Missouri
Blueberry Lattice Bars
Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine
Rhubarb-Blueberry Crumble
Rhubarb and strawberry often go together, but blueberries give rhubarb a fresh and summery touch. — Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Blueberry-Dijon Chicken
Blueberries and chicken may seem like a strange combination, but prepare to be pleasantly surprised. I add a sprinkling of minced fresh basil as the finishing touch. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Canned Blueberry Jam
Summer doesn't feel complete without at least one berry-picking trip and a batch of homemade blueberry jam. Eat atop fresh scones or biscuits for maximum enjoyment! —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Two-Berry Fluff Salad
This fluffy salad is a welcome treat on warm Texas afternoons. Because there's a blueberry orchard near our home, we often pick up berries to use in this recipe and others. When blueberries and strawberries aren't in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas
Blueberry Chops with Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
A sweet and spicy combo is the perfect accent for meaty chops. With a fresh green veggie on the side, this is a hearty summer meal. It’s easy, yet impressive enough to serve to company. —Laura Davis, Chincoteague, Virginia
Skillet Blueberry Slump
My mother-in-law made a slump of wild blueberries with dumplings and served it warm with a pitcher of farm cream. We’ve been enjoying slump desserts for 60 years. —Eleanore Ebeling, Brewster, Minnesota
Dad's Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Jalapeno Cornbread Filled with Blueberry Quick Jam
Fresh jalapenos and blueberry quick jam make the perfect blend of sweet and spicy in this special cornbread. Once you eat one piece, you won't be able to resist going back for another. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Blueberry-Sausage Breakfast Cake
I fix this breakfast cake for my co-workers often. The blueberries and sausage are such a nice sweet-salty flavor combo. —Peggy Frazier, Indianapolis, Indiana
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice Cream
This sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries instead of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
These whoopie pies are soft, cakey cookies studded with tart, juicy blueberries and filled with tangy cream cheese frosting. I take them to family and school events and they are always the first thing gone! Be sure to continually scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula while making the batter and frosting. —Kathy Martino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pork Tenderloin with Three-Berry Salsa
My husband came home from a work meeting that had served pork with a spicy blueberry salsa. He was amazed at how tasty it was, so I came up with my own rendition without seeing or tasting what he had. It took several tries, but this is the delicious result. —Angie Phillips, Tarzana, California
Blueberry Zucchini Squares
I saw a bar recipe using apple and lemon zest on a muffin mix. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a nifty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Blueberry Ice Cream
The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake
I was young when I married, so I watched my mother-in-law to learn baking. This cake with fresh blueberries is one of her beauties. —Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
Baked Blueberry Pancake
For a quick breakfast, Norna makes the pancake while fixing supper the night before, then cuts it into squares. The next morning, she tops them with butter and syrup before placing them in the microwave. This innovative way to make pancakes takes most of the fuss out of making breakfast. Norna Detig - Lindenwood, Illinois
Slow-Cooked Turkey with Berry Compote
We love to eat turkey, and on hot summer days, here's how we get our fix. For golden-brown turkey, broil for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
Blueberry Cornbread
My husband is a fourth-grade teacher, and he incorporates monthly baking projects into the curriculum. His recipe for blueberry cornbread is a class favorite. —Jennifer Martin, Martinez, CaliforniaThe post How to Pick the Best Blueberries appeared first on Taste of Home.
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