Getting into the eating local routine will take some planning. If you truly need that sweet taste of Summer berries in the middle of Winter, chances are you will have to be preparing for it now. Eating local means being conscious of the seasons offerings and being ahead of the game a bit. By now on Whidbey, strawberries are going out of season and raspberries are just getting started. You may be lucky enough to snag a flat of strawberries from the markets but get them quick. My kids and I picked 25 pounds of delicious Hood strawberries while visiting family in SW Washington. I have to say they are THE best strawberries I have ever tasted. Truly an amazing berry! I made 18 pints of strawberry jam with half of them, and froze and vacuum sealed the rest. I thought this would last much longer but they are so good my family looks for every reason to make toast with jam or smoothies. The good thing is more berries are coming.
Now is the time to make a preservation plan. I am planning on never buying jam or fruit syrup for the next year so I am going to be busy. Raspberries will be plentiful very soon followed by blueberries, currants, blackberries, other similar soft berries, Peaches, Plums, and Apples. Now is the time for abundance and enough restraint to help make it last. Go get those berries!
U-Pick info for Whidbey Island:
Raspberries-
Mile Post 19
18997 SR 20 (PO Box 392)
Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 678-3641
MilePost19Farm@gmail.com
Blueberries-
Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm
2726 Laurel Lane, Oak Harbor
(360)679-4210
Bonnie's Blues
1.5 miles off State 20, Oak Harbor
(360)679-3600
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