Quick Summary: Picked your blueberries too early or bought sour ones at the store? Don’t throw them away. Here are six ways to use unripe blueberries, from making verjus with green berries to adding extra sugar in jams, syrups, and baked goods. Jump to: Do Blueberries Ripen After Picking? | Making Verjus with Green Berries | …
Quick Summary: Common blueberry myths debunked: Blueberries don’t ripen after picking (pick only when fully blue). Coffee grounds don’t acidify soil (use peat or sulfur). Blueberries need full sun, not shade. Frozen berries are as nutritious as fresh. Multiple varieties dramatically increase yields. They’re easy to grow if you get the soil acidity right. Health …
Quick Summary: Blueberry sweetness depends on variety, potassium levels, and growing conditions. Half-high varieties like St. Cloud and highbush varieties like Bluecrop tend to be the sweeter varieties for the Midwest. Use a high-potassium fertilizer during fruiting, avoid overwatering, and let berries fully ripen before picking. Read time: 8 min | Experience level: Beginner to …
Blueberries don’t ripen after picking, and if you harvest them too early, you will get sour berries that will never sweeten up. I grow 600 blueberry plants at HeathGlen Organic Farm for the farmers’ markets, and have found that the single biggest factor in sweetness is picking at the right time. The key indicator is …
Blueberries were the first crop I planted back in 1998 when I decided to become a farmer. Over the years I was able to figure out their best growing conditions and the variables that led to the most prolific harvest. One of the growing conditions I noticed was which companion plants actually help and which …
Quick Summary: Grow blueberries in wide pots (at least 20 inches) with acidic soil (half peat, half potting mix). Choose half-high varieties for cold climates (Polaris, Northland, Chippewa). Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination and larger harvests. Full sun (6+ hours) is essential. Expect a few handfuls the first year, increasing to about …
Quick Summary: White fish filets coated in seasoned cornmeal and baked on a sheet pan until crispy. No frying, no oil, ready in under 30 minutes. Includes two homemade seasoning blends: spicy chipotle and chile-lime. Works with catfish, tilapia, cod, or any white fish. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 12 min | Serves: 6 Jump …
Quick Summary: A tangy-sweet rhubarb custard topped with an almond flour and pecan streusel. No water bath required. Can be made as a creamy custard alone or as a crisp with the nut topping. Includes a dish perfect for any leftovers called an Eton Mess. Also includes primer on using rhubarb for other recipes. Prep: …
This guide covers four drying methods, proper storage, and a refreshing iced chamomile tea recipe to try with your harvest. Quick Summary: Drying your own herbs is simple and gives you a year-round tea supply. This guide covers four methods: air drying, dehydrator, oven, and microwave, plus how to store dried herbs and a iced …
Peperonata (peh-peh-roh-NAH-tah) is a Southern Italian vegetable dish of slow-cooked, or stewed bell peppers with onion and garlic. I make peperonata every fall when my pepper harvest at HeathGlen Organic Farm peaks, and I use it on everything: pork chops, bunless burgers, ground beef, white fish, even as a bruschetta topping. This version pairs …
Low Carb Romesco Sauce – an excellent flavor enhancement to proteins and vegetables on a slow carb, low carb, or ketogenic lifestyle
Quick Summary: Rumtopf is a German technique of preserving fruit in rum and sugar, layered throughout summer and steeped until winter. Use most fruit, including strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pears, and blueberries. Avoid apples (brown), bananas (mushy), and melons (watery). Use overproof rum or mix dark rum with 151. Store 6-9 weeks minimum in …
Quick Summary: Hush puppies are crispy, deep-fried cornmeal balls traditionally served with Southern fried seafood. This recipe also includes three dipping sauce options for hush puppies: Comeback Sauce, Old Bay remoulade, and hot pepper jelly. Prep: 30 min (plus 1 hr chill) | Cook: 15 min | Serves: 8 Jump to: RECIPE | What are …
Quick Summary: Two iconic Masters Tournament recipes: the classic pimento cheese sandwich (frozen in time at $1.50) and the Azalea cocktail with a Georgia peach twist. Includes the entertaining history of “PimentoGate” and the secret recipe drama. No cook | Serves: 6 Jump to: RECIPE | History of the Masters’ Pimento Sandwich | Azalea Cocktail …
Quick Summary: A foolproof method for soft-boiled eggs that peel effortlessly every time. Lower eggs into boiling water, cook exactly 8½ minutes, plunge into ice bath. The egg salad recipe adds Dijon mustard and lemon zest for brightness. Prep: 15 min | Serves: 3 Jump to: RECIPE | Perfect Soft Boiled Method | Egg Salad …