Benefits of Blackberries
Depending on their ripeness, blackberries are mostly a little sweet, with a little tart, and sometimes even sour.
They have lots of vitamin C, plus a lot less sugar than your average berry, making them an excellent choice for a fruity treat.
When is Blackberry Season?
Fresh blackberries are delicious, but the season in Oklahoma is relatively short. In Oklahoma, blackberry season is mid-August to mid-September. Fortunately, there are different ways to preserve blackberries so we can use them all year round.
What to Do with Fresh Blackberries
Fresh blackberries are a great breakfast ingredient. They’re great as part of a fruit salad with plain or Greek yogurt. Additionally, they can add blackberries to cereals, including porridge. Another simple way to include blackberries into a diet is in fruit smoothies.
Can you Dehydrate Blackberries
Dehydrating blackberries is a great way to preserve their taste for longer periods and it can preserve the nutritional value.
How to Dehydrate Blackberries
Step One – Prepare your Blackberries
Clean your blackberries with a 1:3 water-to-vinegar ratio and soak for about 5 minutes. Remove the excess water and vinegar from the bowel after picking out all the extra bits and spoiled blackberries out. Rinse the blackberries under cold water.
Step Two – Dry the Blackberries
Dry the blackberries before adding them to the dehydrator. Place them in a single layer on the tray away from each other to allow air to flow between them.
Step Three – Set the Dehydrator
Adjust the temperature of the dehydrator to 135 degrees F.
Step Four- Wait
The drying process will take about 18 – 30 hours depending on the power of your dehydrator, as well as, the size of the blackberries. Check on the blackberries every few hours. You will know they are done when there is no moisture squeezed when smashed between your fingers.
Make sure the blackberries are completely dry before you place them inside an airtight container away from any moisture or light.
Step Five – Store
If stored and dried properly, dried blackberries can last for twelve to eighteen months.
Can you Freeze Blackberries
Freezing blackberries is similar to freezing blueberries. It is extremely simple to do.
You can freeze blackberries at home using only a colander, a baking sheet, parchment paper, and freezer bags.
Step One – Wash the Blackberries
Use a colander or submerge the berries in a bowl of cool water.
Step Two – Let Blackberries Dry
You want the blackberries dry when they go into the freezer. Preferably, they should air dry, but you can use a towel and lightly pat to speed the process.
Step Three – Spread the Blackberries on Cookie Sheet
If you freeze the berries spread out on cookie sheets, completely dry,they will freeze individually. As you spread them out, you’ll want to go through and remove any remaining leaves and stems on the berries. Put them in the freezer from three to 12 hours.
Step Four – Package the Berries
After the berries are frozen, put them in their freezer bags. You can look at your favorite recipes and package the amounts needed per recipe. Make sure to label the bag without the amounts for easy reference.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in the Freezer
Fresh picked blackberries can stay at room temperature for a day or so. But blackberries should be stored in the fridge for no longer than 10 days. If you want to keep blackberries long term, you’ll want to store them in the freezer. Frozen blackberries are best if you eat them within six months to twelve months. Blackberries can last indefinitely as long as they’re properly stored, but texture and taste will be lacking.
If dry spots or discolorations have developed on the frozen blackberries, freezer burn has begun to set in. This doesn’t impact the safety to eat them, but they won’t have the ideal texture and taste.
Easy Blackberry Recipes
Homemade Blackberry Pie
No recipe list would be complete without a pie recipe! Check out this Old Fashioned Blackberry pie. The author worked tirelessly, so you’ll get an amazing pie every single time whether you use fresh or frozen blackberries.
Homemade Blackberry Cobbler
Of course, if I have a pie recipe, I must also include a cobbler recipe. I found just the one with the Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler that’s just like grandma used to make.
Vegan Blackberry Cheesecake
It’s difficult to find good recipes for classic dishes with alternative ingredients. I stumbled upon this vegan Blackberry Cheesecake with a swirly blackberry puree over a cashew cream layer and chocolate crust bottom. I think it checks all the boxes.
Blackberry Jam
If you grow your own blackberries, there’s a chance you might get overloaded with them. Also, sometimes making jams and jellies is just a fun family activity and can bring back childhood memories. Making your own jam can also cut down on the extra sugar that’s usually in the store bought versions. This Blackberry Jam also works with fresh or frozen blackberries, so you can bring in summer freshness all year round.
Healthy Blackberry Breakfast Cookies
If there is ever a recipe that allows me to have cookies for breakfast, I’m going to shout it from the rooftops. The best part is it’s healthy, gluten, egg and dairy free. Next time you have a crazy busy morning, give these healthy blackberry breakfast cookies a try to get started right.
Fresh Blackberry Favorites
Leave a comment with your favorite fresh blackberry recipe! Don’t forget to pin for later!
