Ruralite Cafe: Published 09/07/00

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Berries: Big or small, we love them all

The three of us managed to pick nearly a gallon and a half in just over an hour by employing a new technique Frosty told me about after last year's adventure. What you do, he said, is cut a hole in the side of a milk jug and slide the handle through your belt. Then both your hands are free for picking, and there's hardly a chance that your bucket will tip over, unless, of course, you find yourself tumbling down the embankment.

The weather was beautiful on Monday, with a cooling, misty breeze picking up every now and again. And the bushes were loaded with sweet berries bursting with flavor.

I wondered if it would happen this year, if someone not from around here would stop and ask what we were doing. And it did. We were just about finished picking when a newlywed couple from Texas stopped their car in the middle of the road and asked what we were doing. No doubt they'd seen lots of other folks on the side of mountains picking something off the waist-high bushes.

"What are you picking?" the fella asked.

"Blueberries," Greg told him.

"Edible blueberries?" the man asked.

That made me laugh, and I had to turn my back so he wouldn't see. Why on earth would we be spending a perfectly good holiday picking berries we couldn't sprinkle in our pancake batter, I thought? They're from Texas and don't know any better, I had to tell myself.

Now that I've got these beautiful berries in the freezer, I need some new recipes. Niki still likes the old standby - blueberry muffins - but I need something that's more of a challenge. And after last year's blueberry cornbread fiasco, it would be nice if the end result tasted good, too.

Let me know if you have any ideas. Send them along in care of the Ruralite Cafe. Who knows, maybe the Cafe management will allow us to add a few new recipes to the menu.

While those of us in the mountains are well aware of the benefits of blueberries, the rest of the state is hailing the great grape. In the Ruralite mailbag this week, we received notification that September is "Grape Appreciation Month" in North Carolina, with festivals scheduled to mark the occasion at vineyards, wineries and farmers markets across the state.

According to state Agricultural Commissioner Jim Graham, North Carolina ranks 12th in the nation in grape production, and this year's crop is estimated to produce 2,000 tons of wine and muscadine grapes. Graham also let us know that research indicates muscadine grapes of all colors and varieties contain antioxidants and other cancer-fighting substances.

In honor of the purple fruit of the vine, towns across the state are planning special events, including the Benton Grove Vineyard in Bunn, where participants will pick their own grapes for free, watch a juice pressing demonstration and learn about the state's grape industry.

If you feel like taking out your aggression on a pile of grapes, the Celebrity Grape Stomp will be held at the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill. And for those who prefer grape juice that's been sitting around for a while, the winery will offer a wine tasting.

I'm thinking of taking the family to the Bannerman Vineyard Grape Celebration Day in Burgaw, where they promise hands-on winemaking demonstrations, jelly for sale, food and entertainment, and grape picking for the entire family. (Does anyone know where Burgaw is?)

Check out the state AG website for more information about grape celebrations.

If you can't make it to Burgaw Saturday, Sept. 16, don't let that stop you from stomping a few grapes into your kitchen linoleum or trying a new blueberry sauce for salmon. Remember, berries, whether blue or purple, are good for you.

Back to Archive: 09/07/00.