Blackberries

I love blackberries. As a child, we would pick them and soak them in very salty water. This would bring all the little worms to the surface and we could sift them out. If not, oh well... free meat with the berries, hehe.

The berries start ripening between June and July. Make sure to pick only the black ones. This advice is given because as soon as berries are picked, they will not ripen anymore.

It is wise to either eat or use the berries within a few days after the pick, or purchase. They will mold quickly and only last a few days in the refrigerator. To freeze them is a good alternative and will provide you with fresh blackberries for months.

Asides from being tasty, blackberries have many health benefits.

Blackberries are a Super food for your heart , with one-cup (144g) providing an excellent source of both vitamin C, fiber, manganese and vitamin K, for only 62 calories.

Harvard and University of North Carolina researchers found a 30% reduction in coronary heart disease death for each 10 grams of fruit fiber eaten per day.

Blackberries are also an Antioxidant Super food, ranking 8th in total antioxidant capacity out of over 100 common foods, according to the USDA.

Research suggests the phytochemical C3G in blackberries increases production of both adiponectin and leptin, which enhance fat burning and suppress appetite respectively.

For a tasty way to add blackberries to your diet, try our Blackberry Sorbet.
~Source: Dole Food Facts.

Of course that last calls for a recipe, so here it is:

Ingredients:
2/3 cup warm water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons blackberry or raspberry preserves
4 cups (16 oz.) fresh, or frozen Blackberries (thawed)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Combine sugar, preserves and water in medium mixing bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves. Puree blackberries with lemon juice in food processor. To remove seeds, force through a fine strainer into bowl. Add to sugar mixture and stir well to combine. Chill until cold. Freeze according to ice cream machine manufacturer's directions.

Mixture may also be poured into shallow metal cake pan and put in freezer until solid for about 6 hours; break into chunks and process in a food processor until smooth.

I learned to not wash the blackberries, until right before the moment of use. That will prevent them from spoiling sooner. Just make sure to get moldy and rotten ones out.

Blackberries are mainly used for making pies and preserves. The leaves can be used to brew tea from. It is said to help against dysentery.

Enjoy these little health boosters. Be careful though, they can make nasty stains and those are unlikely to come out easy, no matter how often and how hard you scrub and clean.

It is a lot easier, to be cleansed from our sins than to rid our clothes of stains. It does not take any repeatedly, hard scrubbing. All it takes is a confession. We do not need to apply special stain removers, over and over again. All it takes is to ask for forgiveness.

Our Father, who loves us deeply, made it that easy on and for us. :-)

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.