Featured Produce: Blackberries! (and a give-away!)

May's strawberries gave way to June's abundant blueberries, blackberries, and soon raspberries! Berry season is a great time to test your home preservation skills. Grab a few extra quarts and toss them in the freezer, or grab some sugar and pectin and turn them into jam. Nothing tastes better on a cold winter day than a fruity dessert or breakfast bars made from the previous summer's berries!

Berries are good for you, too! They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and are anti-inflamatory. Blackberries in particular have special properties that help keep your brain alert! More fun facts about blackberries can be found here.

We have a little market give away going on this week and next. Click here to complete our online survey for a chance to win one of three market gift bags!
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Berry Oat Breakfast Bars

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats, divided
• 4 cups fresh or frozen mixed berries (any combination of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries)
• 1/2 cup sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil, or butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Recipe and image from: 
http://www.themostlyvegan.com/
berry-oat-bars/

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Put 2 cups oats in a food processor and blend for approximately three minutes until they take on the consistency of flour. Combine with remaining two cups oats, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, sea salt and cinnamon. Add melted coconut oil to mixture and stir until well combined.
2. Measure out 2 cups of mixture and spread over the bottom of the parchment lined pan, using your fingers to press down firmly. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the oats just begins to brown. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place berries and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, add tablespoon cornstarch and simmer 5 minutes more until compote is thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Once the oat mixture and berries are slightly cooled, spread berry compote over oats and top with remaining oat mixture. Using your hands or a spatula, press down on the oats. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely (about 2 hours) before cutting into 9 squares. Store in the refrigerator and serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

By The Mostly Vegan