In Season: Blueberries

Blueberries photo by Maira Gall via Flickr/Creative Commons

Stepping into a big box grocery store, it’s easy to think that all produce grows all year round—but that’s hardly the case. In this series, we’ll highlight one in-season produce pick a week.

Blueberries

Nutrition: Blueberries are high in vitamins C and K, manganese, and antioxidants.

Why that’s important: Vitamin C keeps cells healthy and functioning; vitamin K regulates blood clotting and bone health; manganese plays a role in everything from connective tissue formation to calcium absorption; and antioxidants may help prevent diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Where to find them: Aside from grocery stores and farmers’ markets, you can pick your own blueberries at farms all over the state.

Five ways to use them: 

1. Blueberry Chicken Chopped Salad
via Gimme Some Oven

Chicken gives this salad enough heft to make it a healthy lunch or light dinner. If you’re feeling extra virtuous, go easy on the recommended blue cheese.

2. Blueberry & Lemon Energy Bites
via the Melrose Family

Blueberries, flax seeds, nuts, and oats make these bites a filling but healthy snack or on-the-go breakfast.

3. Blueberry, Feta, and Honey-Caramelized Onion Naan Pizza
via Kitchen Confidante

Yes, it’s still pizza. But using naan for crust lightens up this recipe—and makes for easy portion control—and using blueberries as toppings gives it a nutritious kick.

4. Oven Steamed Salmon with Blueberry Balsamic Reduction
via Domestic Fits

This recipe recommends serving the fish with arugula, quinoa, and edamame, keeping it a nutritious and summery dinner choice.

 5. Berry Green Smoothie
via Damn Delicious

Trick yourself into eating more greens with this breakfast smoothie recipe, comprised of blueberries, raspberries, banana, spinach, milk, and oats. The berries lend enough sweetness that you can skip the suggested sugar, too.