Seasonal Food Spotlight: Blueberries

I love blueberries for so many reasons. For one, they remind me of my childhood. My mom, sister and I had a summer tradition of visiting a local farm and picking berries until our fingers were blue. We brought them home by the bucketful. For the next three months, breakfast was nothing but blueberry muffins and pancakes.

These days, I prefer to buy blueberries at my neighborhood farmers’ market. They’re fresh, delicious, and I’m still supporting area farms. Though baking blueberries into muffins and pancakes will always have a special place in my heart, my new favorite way to eat them is with granola and almond milk. Oh yes – there’s nothing I’d rather eat on a hot summer morning than a cool bowl of blueberries. Mmmmm.

Another reason I think blueberries are wonderful is because they promote a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight. Blueberries are also excellent for your digestion, brain health and vision. Not to mention, they have the amazing power to dissolve bad cholesterol and decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Like other fruits, raw blueberries have the best flavor and provide you with the greatest nutritional benefits. So, while the recipes below are undoubtedly delicious, don’t hesitate to snack on a handful of fresh blueberries while you’re baking for the biggest health boost.

Blueberry Quinoa Muffins

Author: Well Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup rice milk
• ½ cup applesauce
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• ¼ cup canola oil
• 1 cup blueberries

Click here to get the recipe from us, Well Vegan.

Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream

Author: The Vegan Monster

Ingredients

• ½ cup cashews, soaked
• ½ cup dates, pitted
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 Tbsp. lavender flowers
• 1-2 pinches salt
• 3 cups blueberries

Click here to get the full recipe and instructions from The Vegan Monster.

Raw Blueberry Cheesecakes

Author: Little Vegan Bear

Ingredients

• Base:
  ¾ cup dates, soaked
  ½ cup sunflower seeds
  ¼ cup almonds
  pinch of salt
• White layer:
  1½ cups cashews, soaked
  ¼ cup agave nectar
  ¼ cup coconut oil, liquefied
  2 Tbsp. vanilla
  1 Tbsp. lime juice
• Blue layer:
  1½ cups cashews, soaked
  1½ cups blueberries
  ¼ cup coconut oil, liquefied
  ¼ cup agave nectar
• Chia jam:
  2 cups blueberries
  2 tablespoon agave nectar
  1 Tbsp. lime juice
  2 Tbsp. chia seeds

Click here to get the full recipe and instructions from Little Vegan Bear.

What’s your favorite way to eat blueberries?