Cash In on the Health Benefits of Freshly Picked Florida Blueberries
In case you haven’t heard, we’re in the heart of Florida blueberry season. From March to May, a bountiful harvest of these tasty little berries grown right here in Florida is available in grocery stores, farmers markets, and u-picks across the area. And that means there’s no better time to dig into some delicious and nutritious blueberry recipes.
But these tiny little berries provide more than just a burst of flavor. They’re also jam packed with antioxidants, fiber, and other essential nutrients like Vitamins C and K and manganese. That means they can help protect against cancer, foster good gut health, and keep your heart healthy.
Here are a few of our favorite healthy recipes that make the most of blueberries.
Healthy Blueberry Cobbler
Adapted from Amy’s Healthy Baking
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Florida blueberries
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and coat an 8” pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Next, whisk together oats, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg together, then add in the maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, toss blueberries with cornstarch until fully coated, then transfer to the prepared pan and top with the topping mixture.
Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool to room temperature then chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
Blueberry Antioxidant Smoothie
Adapted from Natasha’s Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds, plus extra for topping
- 1 banana, peeled
- 2 oranges, peeled
- 2 cups Florida blueberries
- Juice of one lemon
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. If using fresh blueberries, add about a ¼ cup of ice. Top with extra chia seeds and enjoy.
Easy Blueberry Compote
Adapted from Eating Well
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 1 cup Florida blueberries
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tsp sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Juice of one lemon
Instructions
Combine 1 cup blueberries, water, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir until well mixed. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until berries have burst and the mixture begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Add in remaining blueberries, then cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and let cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Pork Tenderloin with Blueberry Balsamic Glaze
Adapted from Tablespoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs pork tenderloin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup Florida blueberries
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F and lining a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Coat the tenderloin evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and place on the baking sheet, then transfer to the center rack of your oven. Cook until internal temp reaches 140 degrees F, about 25 minutes.
While the tenderloin cooks, combine blueberries, balsamic, and honey in a small saucepan and stir until well combined. Then, in a separate bowl, stir together water and cornstarch to make a slurry. Bring the glaze to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add in cornstarch slurry, mix until well incorporated, then cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside.
Remove cooked pork from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes, then serve hot with the glaze spread over top.