Featured Fruit — Blueberries

Blueberry –Vaccinium spp.

 

Related to azaleas and rhododendrons, blueberries need a highly organic, cool, moist, well drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.  Tiny, urn shaped white or pink flowers decorate the plant in spring, followed by green berries that turn blue when ripe.  Roots grow very near the soil surface, so cultivation of the soil around the plants is prohibited.  Mulch of sawdust or wood chips work well to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.  Plant at least two varieties for best pollination.

 

 

 

BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST BARS

5 c flour

1 T baking powder

1 ½  t salt

½ c (1 stick) butter, softened

2 c sugar

4 eggs, room temperature

2 t vanilla extract

1 c milk

1 ½ c oats

4 c fresh or frozen blueberries

1 ½ c corn chex, crushed

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.  Add aggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.  Add milk.   In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking powder.   Add to wet mixture.  Add oats and then blueberries (batter will be very thick.)  Spread evenly into a 12 X 19 baking sheet and sprinkle crushed chex over the top.  Bake 45 minutes until pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan, then cut into bars.