If you are lucky enough to have a garden full of raspberries right now you likely don’t need any advice about what to do with these fragile, yet delicious dark red fruits. In fact, you’re probably popping a few in your mouth right now, and wouldn’t I like to be your friend? If you are like me, however, and have to love raspberries from afar (or a very hefty price at the store) most of the year, this is your season. Raspberries are making their seasonal debut right now, prices for these fruits are reasonable, and the product is terrific. And, almost nothing compares to raspberries when it comes to welcoming the summer that is nearly here. Come and cook with us!
Raspberries deserve a place of honor on the healthy-foods-to-eat-list for many reasons, but the 17 grams of fiber they deliver per cup is top of the list. In fact, they deliver the highest fiber content for a fruit. They are also a great source of antioxidants, and contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, and bone-building vitamin K. When buying your raspberries, keep in mind that they are one of the fruits on the Environmental Working Group’s list of twelve most consistently contaminated fruits and vegetables. To avoid all those extra pesticides and agricultural chemicals, it’s worth it to reach for the organic packages, even if they cost a little more.
Raspberries are great in a puff pancake, as an addition to banana bread, or warmed up and served over ice cream, as “Hot Love”. If you find a great supply of freshly picked raspberries at the farmers market, buy a bunch and freeze them for use when the season has passed. I love to throw them in the blender with some yogurt, a dash of vanilla, and ice for a cooling summer treat (maple syrup or honey for sweetening is optional). That’s if you don’t eat them all first. My kids’ absolute favorite way to eat fresh raspberries right now is spread across a piece of buttered whole grain bread, or with some ricotta drizzled with a little honey. The texture, taste and color of this fruit is so intense that each bite is a sensory sensation. Come and cook with us!
Here are a few recipes to get you started:
Raspberry Banana Bread
Hot Love Raspberry Dessert
Apple Puff Pancake
Come and Cook with Us 
Bought my raspberries today. They look yummy!