September 3, 2011

SOMETHING NEW FROM GRAMMA AGOO...
                        AKA MARY PELZEL

Berries Gone Wild

I have only three rows of raspberry canes in my garden but when it is time to pick the berries, I feel like lord of the jungle. The berry canes are close to 7 feet tall and they are constantly escaping the twine  that has them tied to metal posts which is our attempt to control their growth pattern. The leaves are huge and lush which makes finding the berries that they protect very difficult. My arms and legs always leave the patch with "war wounds" from the attacking thorns. The main problem, however, is that the berries are few and far between. They are fat, sweet and juicy - just not very many. While searching for berries this week, I found that one of my bushes had grown a frog. (I'm sure that he was a seedless variety.)  Parting the huge canes, there I was, face to face and eye to eye with a 3-inch long, tan frog with a dark brown spot behind each eye. This gentle creature had far better manners than I. For when I popped in on him, he said not a word. When he startled me,  I said many!

Peyton proves that Gramma Agoo's blueberry jam is a "full body experience"!

At any rate, I need and welcome advice on the care and cultivation of raspberries. But this is not the case with the blueberries. In the same garden patch there are 21 blueberry bushes of the high-bush variety. Some of these bushes are reaching the 6-foot mark in height and width. The branches are drooping with the excessive weight of  berries in various stages of ripening. Uwada'hio'ni' - "plenty of berries" - is the Cayuga term for late summer when the ripe berries abound.*

Blueberries contain valuable compounds called anthocyanosides. This helps to treat, and even prevent, cataracts as well as aiding general eyesight. Some studies show that eating these berries in moderation helps to protect the stomach against ulcers by strengthening the stomach lining. They have anti-inflammatory benefits that may relieve some symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The dried fruits aid in the treatment of diarrhea.  Blueberries are high in vitamin C and are favored as healing antioxidants. The blueberry leaf also has health benefits and is used in teas as an  aid to the general digestive system.*

Whew, with that said, I like them in pies, cakes, jam and on my oatmeal!

The recipe that I want to share with you this week  is from my first cookbook, Morsel & Martha's Adventures in Cooking.

Raspberry Cream Pie with Pecan Topping

Raspberries are the language of summer. Who can resist that distinctly intense sweet-tart taste of fresh raspberries?  They are wonderful by themselves with just a kiss of cream or as in this pie - a true confection for a lover of raspberries. Someday I'm hoping to be lucky enough to harvest the amount of raspberries needed to make this pie.

Ingredients for pie:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/3 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups fresh raspberries (okay to use frozen, thawed, I do when I can't pick 3 cups)
1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell

Directions for pie:  Combine sugar, flour, eggs, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir until smooth. Fold in raspberries. Spoon into pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees 30-35 minutes or until center is set.

Ingredients for topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons butter softened
Garnish with whipped cream, fresh raspberries (fresh mint leaves would be nice too).

Directions for topping:  Combine all ingredients and sprinkle over hot pie. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden. Garnish with whipped cream, fresh raspberries and mint leaves if desired. Serves 8.

As always, I welcome your comments. I hope that you try the pie. It is wonderful!

Mary

marysplace1st@yahoo.com
www.marysplacegifts.com
509-658-1057

*The Medicine Wheel Garden by E. Barrie Kavasch

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