Ingredient Spotlight: Raspberries

Fresh raspberries are some of summer’s sweetest flavors, ripe, delicate and delicious eaten right out of baskets from the farmers’ markets. Read on for our tips for choosing and preparing them, and try a few of our favorite recipes showcasing these tender, juicy treats.

 

Look for: Raspberries should be shiny, bright and plump. Check the bottom of your container for fruit that is bruised, wet or moldy, and be sure to skip those. Use the berries as soon as possible after purchasing; if you need to store them, refrigerate them in single layers on paper towels in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

 

Prep tips: Always handle these fragile berries with care. Avoid washing them until just before use, as the excess moisture will encourage the growth of mold. To bring out their juices and sweeten their flavor, sprinkle the berries with a little sugar (about 1 Tbs. for every pint), and let stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.

 

Uses: It’s hard to beat fresh berries — for a snack, tossed into a salad, or eaten with breakfast or over ice cream. But they’re also delicious baked into flaky pies, crumbles and other pastries or cooked into luscious, jewel-toned jams.

 

Variations: Golden raspberries are harder to find than their red counterparts, but they have a similar shape with a slightly sweeter, honey-like flavor and a color that ranges from pale yellow to deep gold. They’re in season for only a few weeks during the summer, so snap them up if you see them.

 

Almond-Crusted French Toast with Berries Crunchy almonds, fresh raspberries and fragrant orange zest bring this classic breakfast dish to a whole new level.

Raspberry-Lemon Muffins The sweetness of raspberries pairs well with the tartness of lemons in these tender, colorful muffins.

Raspberry-Fennel Bellini The combination of fresh raspberries and fennel gives this unique cocktail from Chef Suzanne Goin an unexpected and delicious flavor.

Baby Arugula Salad with Berries & Gorgonzola In this main course salad, ripe raspberries add a punch of juicy sweetness to the assertive flavors of arugula and gorgonzola cheese. Serve with steak and marinated onions on the grill.

Raspberry Custard Tart Here, flaky puff pastry is covered with a layer of crème fraîche custard, then topped with fresh raspberries for a show-stopping dessert.

Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream A swirl of fresh raspberry puree takes vanilla ice cream to the next level in this simple but foolproof recipe.

Raspberry-Rhubarb Pandowdy This rustic dessert has a flaky, nutty, biscuitlike topping and lots of sweet-tart fruity flavor from raspberries and rhubarb.