Celebrate Blueberries With Our Top 3 “Picks”

June is fast approaching, and with it comes sweet, local blueberries. Here are a few of our favorites when it comes to these little blue beauties.

June is fast approaching, and with it comes sweet, local blueberries.  Here are a few of our favorites when it comes to these little blue beauties.

Blueberry Festival

The 12th Annual Blueberry Festival takes place in downtown Burgaw on Saturday, June 20th. This one-day celebration draws nearly 30,000 people and honors the history, culture, and economical importance of blueberries in southeastern North Carolina. A few of the festival highlights include the 11th Annual BBQ Cook-off, the 5K Blueberry Run/Walk, and the Blueberry Festival Car Show. More information and the festival schedule can be found at www.ncblueberryfestival.com.

Pick Your Own

Lewis Farms, located at 6517 Gordon Road in Wilmington, offers “U-Pick” blueberries for $3.00 per pound.  Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:30-6 and Sunday from 1-6.  Don’t forget to try some of their delicious homemade blueberry ice cream during your visit!  

Make a Delicious Bluebery Sorbet

Wondering what to do with all those blueberries? Why not make a healthy, summer-friendly sorbet that’s sure to please your little ones.  To make this simple dessert, all you need are:

  • 3 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries,
  • zest of 1 lemon,
  • 2 tablespoons superfine sugar,
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (you can also substitute almond milk or regular whole milk.)

Directions:

  1. Add berries, lemon zest, and sugar to a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Purée for 1 minute.
  2. Add coconut milk and purée until mixture is smooth.
  3. Place mixture into an airtight container and freeze overnight. To serve, top with fresh berries and mint, if desired. 

Yields 4-5 servings.

Recipe courtesy of www.galavante.com