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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2023 15 By Clare Mendez, Resident I just love fresh berries, and since prices are lowest when they are in season and local, now is the time to buy. Berries work in both sweet and savory recipes, or on their own. When we think of berries, popular varieties likely come to mind, such as strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, however, there are many more berries unique to certain locations and climates and not as widely known, like elderberries or goji berries. In fact, there are more than 25 different types of berries around the world, and more than 400 different species of varying colors, sizes, flavors and nutrient profiles. Storing fresh berries properly can lengthen their life. Refrigerate unwashed berries in their packages or in a single layer in a spacious container with a loose-fitting, breathable cover. If they begin to over ripen, freeze them in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. ey are then ready for smoothies, oatmeal topping, baking or sauces. To cool off from the summer heat, puree them and freeze them into popsicles! Frozen berries are available year-round at our local grocers, are oen less expensive, are just as tasty and nutritious, and have a long storage life. If you're using them in recipes that don't rely on texture, like in baking, smoothies or jams, frozen is a great choice. is is a lesson I recently learned when freezing grapes. ey are wonderful and refreshing when still frozen, but once thawed, become mushy. Fun fact: A berry, by definition, is a fruit with seeds and flesh produced from a single ovary of a single flower. It may be interesting to note that grapes, tomatoes, kiwis, and bananas are berries while strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are not! But don't let that little fact deter you from eating your fill. ey are all delicious, healthy choices, full of nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, as well as microbiome promoting natural fiber. Berries have been studied in connection with a number of health benefits including reducing risk for cardiovascular disease and supporting brain health. Once again, the competition for the golden statues was intense, aka so much fun! Congratulations to the winners, Rosemary Calomese and Edith Reed, and the runner- ups, Vivian Bellini and Joan Jetter. Comedy Night Side Pocket Sisters Red, White White, and Blue Berries

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