Local & Proud: Peaches & Blueberries

Posted on: July 21, 2023

Let’s celebrate the very best our province has to offer of locally sourced, and in-season peaches and blueberries available at Cloverdale’s Fresh Pickin’s event, in partnership with Metro, August 3 – 6, 2023.  What to make with these sweet fruits?  Use these fruitful tips and sweet recipe below from Metro and @theoliveandMango!

GRILLED PEACH & BLUEBERRY YOGURT PARFAIT

INGREDIENTS:

4 ripe peaches
2 tablespoons (30 ml) Coconut or brown sugar
½ teaspoon (2,5 ml) Cinnamon
Vegetable oil for brushing or srpaying grill
2 cups (500 ml) greek yogurt or plant based yogurt, for serving
1 cup (250 ml) blueberries
2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) Honey or maple syrup for serving
1 cup (250 ml) granola for serving
¼ cup (60 ml) Remix Snacks chocolate bean bark with peach chunks, chopped for serving
1 Fresh mint leaf for garnish (optional)

PREPARATION:

Set grill to medium-high.  Or Spray a cast-iron grill pan with cooking spray and heat over medium/heat.  Halve and pit the peaches. Cut each half into 3 wedges.  Press cut side of peaches in granulated sugar to coat. Place peaches cut side down on grill pan.  Cook until grill marks form and peaches are slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes per side.  Remove from grill and let cool. Cut fruit into smaller wedges if desired.

Divide the yogurt among 4 small bowls, cups or jars. Divide peaches, blueberries and granola among bowls. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chocolate bark.

Recipe source: Metro/@theoliveandMango

FRUITFUL TIPS:
• Did you know peaches are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. They also contain a high level of natural sugars that are good for the body.
• STORAGE TIP: Peaches will keep for several days in the fridge. To hasten ripening, store them at room temperature, preferably in a paper bag.
More peachy tips here.
 
• Did you know there are 30 species of blueberries?  An even though most blueberry shrubs are small averaging 30 cm), some plants, can reach close to two metres in height and produce blueberries as big as marbles!
• PICKING TIP: The dwarf blueberry is sweeter than the giant blueberry.  More berry interesting facts here.
August 3 to 6, 2023 – Fresh Pickin’s: Where the taste of local meets the artistry of balloons.  Shop local seasonal fruits and veggies at our pop-up market, in partnership with Metro.  Plus, it’s a feast for the eyes at our fruit-themed balloon photo op.  Snap a pic and share it on social media tagging @cloverdalemall and #freshpickins for your chance to win a $250 Cloverdale Shopping Spree!*

*Event info and full contest rules and regulations here.

— Gillaine, Marketing Coordinator