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Summertime Berry Dessert: This Month at the Market

Photo Credit: ILFMA

RECIPE FROM THE Illinois Farmers Market Association

 

There is nothing like summer in the Midwest, when farmers’ markets are brimming with a full variety of fresh produce. Mid-summer is also fresh fruit season. “I cannot get enough blueberries. Each year, I buy and freeze about 25 pounds of blueberries to be sure I have the wonderful goodness of berries all year long. And you can add blueberries to just about anything; yogurt, salads or just eat by the handful,” says Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

        “I do love blueberry desserts, as well. This recipe is a slightly different take on fruit crumble. It can be made with fresh or frozen berries, and if the berries are local, fresh and sweet, there is no reason to add the typical flour, sugar or lemon juice to the berries! Just make the crumble topping and add to the blueberries. I prefer to mix the topping into the berries, so every bite is the wonderful combination of berries and topping,” she notes.

 

Blueberry Crumble

Yields: 6-8 servings

8 cups fresh or frozen (do not thaw) berries-raspberries and blackberries work well separately or in a combination

1 cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Grease an 8 x 11-inch baking dish lightly with softened butter. Place blueberries in baking dish. Melt butter and let cool.

Combine flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix until butter is incorporated. Topping will be lumpy.

With a spatula, gently incorporate the half of the topping into the fruit. Use the other half to top fruit.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm as is or top with local vanilla ice cream.

 

The Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA) supports local food and food systems by giving Illinois farmers’ markets and producers access to resources, education and connections in order to grow healthier and economically vibrant communities. For more information, visit ilfma.org.