Like blueberries? If so, get thee to a farmers market, and get there soon and early. I didn't get to the Twin Springs Fruit Farm market behind All Souls church in Woodley Park until nearly 11 this morning and all that was left was a half-depleted pint. They told me they should be available for a week or two more, but I'd stock up as soon as possible.
At the height of the blueberry season (or, more accurately, just past the height when I realize I've nearly run out of time), I buy blueberries galore for freezing. Here's the trick: wash them and let them dry thoroughly. Spread them out on a cookie sheet so that they are not touching each other (you don't have to be obsessive about the not touching), freeze them for an hour or more, then put them in freezer bags to enjoy through the fall and winter. Flash freezing them on the cookie sheet will prevent them from glomming together in the freezer, and allow you to take out as many or as few as you like later on. I'll grab a handful from the bag to stir into oatmeal for a taste of summer on a cold winter morning.
In the meantime, you can make pies, tarts, muffins, pancakes, cobblers, and hundreds of other recipes (see epicurious.com for ideas). I enjoy them for breakfast, with cottage cheese or yogurt, and topped with Michele's Granola from Takoma Kitchens, available at the Woodley Park and other markets listed on their site. In addition to being delicious, blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants, and, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, may even have anti-aging effects and enhance balance and coordination. I will be an award-winning gymnast yet.
Here's a bonus if you buy your blueberries at the Dupont Circle market tomorrow. According to the FreshFarm Markets calendar, at the Dupont market from 11 to 1, Faith Heller Willinger will be signing her new book, Adventures of an Italian Food Lover (which Olsson's will be selling), and from 11 to 12 Cesare Lanfranconi (of Ristorante Tosca) will be preparing a recipe from the book.
Looking for a farmers market near you? Check out The Washington Post's list of markets in the DC area, or the USDA site for markets around the country.
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