Seasonal ingredient of the week: Blackberries
IN SEASON: July - late September
Blackberries are one of the first ingredients that come to mind when thinking about summer - fond memories of afternoons spent picking them fresh, hands stained purple from the juice. Even in London, there’s plenty of brambles waiting to be picked - Hampstead Heath and the canals of East London being two particular hotspots.
Blackberries are packed full of Vitamin C which helps boost your immune system and they’re naturally lower in sugar than other fruits. Being in season from early July to late September, they’re traditionally mixed with the first apples of the season to make a warm and comforting crumble as the days start to get cooler, but can also be enjoyed fresh during the warmer months.
Tips:
- The darker the blackberry the sweeter it will be - for the best flavour, try to look for shiny, plump blackberries that are completely black
- Fresh blackberries pair really well with light, creamy tastes - try them with dairy free yoghurt or cream
- Blackberries go really well in crumbles, galettes and pies
- For a delicious breakfast try vanilla porridge topped with blackberries, toasted hazelnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup
Recipe:
METHOD
1. Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC (400ºF/gas mark 6)
2. Add the chopped apples to a pan over a medium/high heat with 2 tbsp filtered water and cinnamon
3. Leave to cook for 5mins, stirring often, before adding the blackberries and cooking for a further 2 mins
4. Remove from the heat and add to an oven-proof dish
5. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl with a spoon, until they start to form clusters
6. Sprinkle on top of the blackberry and apple mixture until completely covered
7. Bake in the oven for about half an hour, or until golden brown.
APPLE + BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
- 4 apples, chopped
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp filtered water
- 3 cups fresh blackberries
- 2 cups gluten free oats
- ½ cup shelled hemp seeds
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 4 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract