In southeast Georgia, blackberries are in season through July. Not only are they sweet and satisfying, they’re also packed with health benefits. I use them in so many ways, whether I’m baking, making cocktails, pairing them with other fresh fruits or just snacking. Blackberries make wonderful jams and jellies and sauces, too. Pair them with pan-seared pork chops for a real sweet and savory treat.
When I was growing up, I can remember picking blackberries with my dad. We would find them growing wild on the vine, pick enough to eat, bring them inside and rinse them off good. He would sprinkle them with a little sugar and a splash of milk and eat them with a spoon right out of the bowl.
My dad has always enjoyed blackberries, and from an early age he scavenged for them growing up in middle Georgia. His cousin Nancy recalls, “I have a fond memory of when we were all kids, staying over at the Walters’ place and picking blackberries,” she said. “Your dad baked a pie. I was amazed at this feat, which was not only interesting and beautiful but also delicious.”
I most definitely inherited his love for this fine fruit. During Christmastime, when everyone else is baking Christmas cookies and red velvet cakes, I make blackberry lattice pies to take to our family shindig. If you ask me, there’s not a bad time to enjoy blackberries, but like most foods, they are best when eaten in season. Head to your local farmers’ market this summer to purchase some local blackberries, and try using them in these new and Some Kinda Good ways:
• Fruit Salad with Garden-Fresh Mint
• Blackberry Lattice Pie
This Blackberry-Peach Crumble recipe has a crunchy, buttery topping and is filled with warm, sweet fruit. Serve it with cold vanilla ice cream or fresh sweetened whipped cream and garnish with mint. Be sure to visit SomeKindaGood.com for all these recipes, plus more easy summer baking and cooking ideas.
Blackberry-Peach Crumble
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
• 3 cups fresh peach slices (about 3 medium)
• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup uncooked regular oats or granola
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup butter, melted
• Vanilla ice cream
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375°. Place the first two ingredients in an 11-by-7-inch (or 2-quart) baking dish.
In a separate bowl, stir together egg, egg yolk, and the next four ingredients with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over fruit; drizzle melted butter over topping.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until light brown and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes; serve warm with ice cream.