Black Raspberries – Nature’s Bounty #174/365

Have you ever eaten fresh black raspberries warm from the vine? I remember as a child I would get a bucket and go out into the country with my mom and day and pick berries. It is one of my greatest memories of childhood. I picked handfuls of fresh berries and stuffed as many into my mouth as I picked. My hands would be purple, as would my mouth. My little sister would have them all over her too. My mom would tell us to try to get some into the bucket.

When we got home with the berries Mom made raspberry cobbler and lots of jellies and jams. We would go pick every day while berries were in season. There were always plenty to eat. Mom would sweeten them with sugar too! I really miss my mom and dad when I think about the times we spent together doing things when I was younger.

I went back to the You Pick Farm today to pick Black Raspberries! I haven’t done that for at least 10 years so I get to count it as a first. I picked some fresh strawberries first. I only got enough of those to eat for a couple of days. I already have a bunch in the freezer from the last time I picked strawberries. They said today was probably the last day for strawberries. There were so many hanging and rotting on the vine. It was harder to find good ones than last time. The people at the shop said this was the best year ever for strawberries. Last time the vines were just hanging with perfect strawberries. That’s why I went overboard and came home with 16 pounds of strawberries.

They told me there weren’t going to be many black raspberries since so many people picked yesterday. Yesterday was the first day to pick. I told them I would like to try to see if I could get enough. My husband and son won’t eat them so I only needed enough for me. My oldest son loves black raspberry pie. I don’t eat pie anymore. No jellies or jams for me either. I try to avoid sugar. Maybe I will bake one for my son next time. I just might grab one bite!!

I was able to pick a quart and I really didn’t need any more than that. Black raspberries are kind of expensive now. I remember picking them as a child and they didn’t cost us anything. If we picked too many the neighbors would buy them from us. That was another cool thing about picking the berries, we could make some money from the extras.

I went in the store to pay for my berries and it’s like an old country store. It’s a good thing I have changed my eating habits. They sell homemade jams, jellies, fudge, and other wonderful goodies. They have fresh dipped ice cream too. I took some pictures and didn’t get a thing. I took my fresh berries and was totally happy.

It’s great to have fresh, healthy foods, enjoy the outdoors and get exercise doing things you love.