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Blueberries and Cherries

Blueberries and Cherries

Summer is shining, and as always, in our store in Chiusanico (IM), blueberries and cherries have arrived... keep reading to learn more!

Today, we'll take you on a journey through the tastes and flavors of two extraordinarily delicious fruits: organic blueberries and cherries grown right here with love and dedication at Costa dei Campi. You'll discover the beneficial properties of these fruits and find inspiration to create a "strong" aperitif menu that will make you fall in love with these natural delicacies.

Our Organic Blueberries

Blueberries

Let's start our journey with our organic blueberries. These small, sweet, and juicy fruits not only delight the palate but also offer numerous health benefits. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. They contribute to improving memory and cognitive functions, protect the cardiovascular system, and promote eye health. Thanks to the organic cultivation method adopted by Costa dei Campi, blueberries retain all their nutritional properties, offering an authentic and healthy taste experience.

Costa dei Campi Blueberries (1)
Costa dei Campi Blueberries (2)
Costa dei Campi Blueberries (3)

Our Organic Cherries

Cherries

Now let's move on to Costa dei Campi's organic cherries, an iconic summer fruit loved by young and old alike. These sweet and juicy red spheres are not only delicious but also rich in nutrients. Cherries are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. They aid digestion, improve mood, and support joint health. Thanks to Costa dei Campi's zero-kilometer cultivation, you can savor the true taste of freshly harvested cherries.

Costa dei Campi Cherries (1)
Costa dei Campi Cherries (2)
Costa dei Campi Cherries (3)

Summer Aperitif

Table

Today we present you with some ideas for an aperitif that celebrates delicious blueberries and juicy cherries. With the arrival of the summer season, these small, sweet, and nutritious fruits reach their peak of flavor and freshness.

Our organic blueberry and cherry summer aperitif offers an explosion of fresh and vibrant flavors, perfect for hot summer days. Blueberries provide a sweet and slightly tart note, while cherries, with their intense color and juice, add irresistible sweetness to the dishes. Both fruits are grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals, in perfect Costa dei Campi style, ensuring a healthy and sustainable culinary experience.

Are you ready? Get comfortable, take note of the recipes we will reveal to you, and let yourself be carried away by a symphony of summer flavors. We are sure that our menu will win you over and inspire you to experiment with these natural treasures in your kitchen. Enjoy your meal!

Cherry and Prosciutto Rolls

Ingredients:

  • 200g fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 100g prosciutto, thinly sliced
  • 100g soft goat cheese
  • Honey to taste (try it with our acacia honey or, for a bolder flavor, our chestnut honey!)
  • Chopped walnuts to taste
  • Fresh arugula for garnish

How to prepare:

  1. Prepare the appetizer plates by placing fresh arugula on the bottom of each plate.
  2. Take one cherry half and place a small amount of soft goat cheese in the center. Close the cherry with the other half and repeat the process with the remaining cherries.
  3. Wrap each stuffed cherry with half a slice of prosciutto, forming small rolls.
  4. Arrange the cherry and prosciutto rolls on the appetizer plates.
  5. Drizzle a small amount of honey over the cherry and prosciutto rolls.
  6. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the appetizer plates to add a touch of crunchiness.
  7. Garnish with some fresh arugula leaves for a touch of freshness and color.
  8. Serve the cherry and prosciutto rolls as an appetizer, ideal to accompany with crispy bread or breadsticks.

Herbed Couscous with Blueberries and Almonds

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 ½ cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (try it with our delicate Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil in a pot. Remove from heat and add the couscous. Cover and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes or until the couscous absorbs all the liquid and becomes tender.
  2. Fluff the couscous with a fork to make it light and fluffy.
  3. In a pan, lightly toast the sliced almonds until they are slightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, and grated lemon zest.
  5. Add the fluffed couscous to the bowl and mix to evenly coat.
  6. Add the fresh blueberries, toasted almonds, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh mint to the couscous. Gently mix to combine all the ingredients.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper according to your preference.
  8. Let the herbed couscous with blueberries and almonds sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  9. Serve as a light and aromatic side dish to accompany your main courses.

Spicy Bruschetta

Ingredients:

  • Slices of rustic bread
  • Fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Fresh chili pepper or chili powder (to taste)
  • Lemon juice
  • Finely chopped red onion
  • Finely chopped fresh coriander
  • Olive oil (try it with our delicate Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Lightly toast the slices of rustic bread.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the cherries and blueberries with fresh chili pepper or chili powder (add the desired amount for the desired level of spiciness), lemon juice, red onion, fresh coriander, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Let the sauce rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  4. Spread the cherry and blueberry sauce on the toasted bread slices.
  5. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves for a final touch.

Cherry and Blueberry Skewers

Ingredients:

  • Fresh cherries, pitted
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Brown sugar (optional)
  • Lime juice
  • Finely chopped fresh mint leaves
  • Skewer sticks

How to prepare:

  1. Prepare the skewers by alternating cherries and blueberries on skewer sticks.
  2. If you desire a touch of sweetness, you can sprinkle the cherries with a bit of brown sugar.
  3. Prepare the sauce by mixing lime juice with finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Adjust the amount of lime and mint according to your taste.
  4. Serve the cherry and blueberry skewers accompanied by the mint and lime sauce.

Quinoa and Cherry Meatballs

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (try with our delicate Taggiasca extra virgin olive oil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Yogurt and mint sauce for serving

How to prepare:

  1. In a bowl, combine cooked quinoa, chopped cherries, red onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, and chickpea flour. Mix well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
  2. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
  3. Take a portion of the mixture and shape it into round and compact meatballs using your hands.
  4. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the quinoa and cherry meatballs to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they become golden and crispy.
  6. Transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to remove any excess oil.
  7. Serve the hot quinoa and cherry meatballs with a yogurt and fresh mint sauce as a condiment.

Vegetable Platter

Ingredients:

  • Fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Natural yogurt
  • Lemon juice
  • Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, mint)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Prepare an herb yogurt sauce by mixing together natural yogurt, lemon juice, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well until you have a smooth sauce.
  2. Arrange the cherries and blueberries on a serving platter.
  3. Serve the cherry and blueberry vegetable platter along with the herb yogurt sauce as a savory appetizer.
  4. Each guest can dip the cherries and blueberries into the yogurt sauce and enjoy them as a healthy and refreshing snack.

And of course, in any respectable aperitif, something to drink cannot be missing! So here are some suggestions for preparing excellent drinks with fresh cherries and blueberries. Enjoy your drink, and we recommend that if you prepare alcoholic beverages: drink responsibly!

Blueberry Martinis

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml vodka
  • 30 ml blueberry juice
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup
  • Fresh blueberries for garnish

Preparation:

Blueberry Juice:

  1. Rinse 150g of fresh blueberries under running water to clean them thoroughly.
  2. Put the blueberries in a blender or a juicer.
  3. Blend or juice the blueberries until you have a smooth and lump-free consistency.
  4. Pass the obtained juice through a fine sieve or a silk cloth to remove any seeds or solid particles.
  5. Collect the strained juice in a bottle and refrigerate it until ready to use.

The Cocktail:

  1. In a shaker filled with ice, add vodka, blueberry juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
  2. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients.
  3. Strain the cocktail into a pre-chilled martini glass.
  4. Garnish with some fresh blueberries and serve immediately.

Cherry Smash

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 60 ml gin
  • 30 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup (you can make it by mixing equal amounts of sugar and hot water until the sugar dissolves completely)
  • 4-5 fresh mint leaves
  • Crushed ice or ice cubes
  • Fresh cherries for garnish

Preparation:

  1. In a tall glass or tumbler, add the fresh cherries and mint leaves. Gently muddle the cherries and mint leaves with a muddler or a wooden spoon to release their flavors.
  2. Add gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup to the glass.
  3. Add crushed ice or ice cubes and stir well to chill the cocktail.
  4. Garnish with a fresh cherry skewered on a cocktail pick or a mint sprig.
  5. Serve the Cherry Smash and enjoy its fresh and fruity flavor.

Blueberry and Lime Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon cane sugar syrup
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • Crushed ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Preparation:

  1. Start by gently mashing the fresh blueberries with a muddler or a fork to release their juices.
  2. In a pitcher or glass, add the mashed blueberries, lime juice, and cane sugar syrup. Mix well to combine the ingredients.
  3. Add crushed ice to the glass and pour the sparkling water over it.
  4. Gently stir to blend the ingredients and chill the mocktail.
  5. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves for a touch of freshness and decoration.

Cherry Refresher

Ingredients:

  • 10-12 fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • Juice of 1 fresh orange
  • 1 teaspoon mint syrup (optional)
  • Sparkling water
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Preparation:

  1. In a tall glass or cocktail glass, place the fresh cherries.
  2. Add the orange juice to the glass with the cherries.
  3. Add the teaspoon of mint syrup, if desired, for an extra touch of freshness.
  4. Gently muddle the cherries with a muddler or a wooden spoon to release their juices.
  5. Fill the glass with ice.
  6. Pour the sparkling water into the glass until it is completely filled.
  7. Gently stir with a spoon to blend the ingredients.
  8. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves.

Don't miss the opportunity to taste the blueberries and cherries from Costa dei Campi! Come visit us directly in the store and let yourself be captivated by the goodness and quality of these fruits. Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or simply a lover of good food, Costa dei Campi will give you an unforgettable sensory experience. Delight in authentic flavors and enjoy the freshness of nature! And if you can't come to visit us... remember that you can always find our cherry compote in the store, which will still give you the experience of tasting freshly picked cherries from the tree!

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