Louisiana blueberries are full of great health benefits. Some of these reported benefits include improved vision, strengthening blood vessels and enhanced memory.

Blueberries can be a dieter’s best friend, with only 40 calories per half cup serving and substantial amounts of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. They are a good source of iron, vitamin A and niacin (one of the B vitamins), and a fair source of vitamin C. Blueberries are also low in fat and sodium-free. Research has shown blueberries are rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals that may prevent serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. According to the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, blueberries are nature’s number one source of antioxidants among fresh fruits and vegetables.

Blueberries, fresh, frozen or canned, are a real treat. They are nature’s convenience food – no peeling, pitting or coring! Simply wash and enjoy them fresh as they are, or use for cereals, salads, muffins, pancakes, tarts and pies, or make delicious toppings for ice cream, waffles or cheesecake! Freeze them and you will have an excellent product to use later.

Freeze blueberries without washing. They are different from other fruits in that the skins seem to be much more tender if they are frozen without washing. When washing before freezing, blueberry skins are tough, even after cooking in certain recipes. Another advantage of not washing is the berries are frozen individually and can be easily poured from the freezer container in whatever you need.

Remove stems and trash, package tightly in moisture-vapor-proof plastic freezer bags, rigid containers of glass jars, leaving one-half inch headspace. Seal airtight and freeze. Remove from freezer, rinse in cold water and use immediately.

Blueberry Jam

four cups crushed berries (about one-and-a-half quarts whole berries)

one box powdered pectin

four cups sugar

two tablespoons lemon juice

Wash and crush fully ripe blueberries. Measure four cups: add lemon juice. Measure sugar and set aside. Place berries in a large, flat-bottomed kettle, add pectin and stir until dissolved. Bring to a rolling boil, add sugar and stir until dissolved. One tablespoon contains about 50 calories.

For further information, you may contact Adrianne Vidrine at (337) 788-8821 or you can also visit our website at http://www.lsuagcenter.com.