The sinister raspberry bushes attack. My arms and legs are covered in scratches. But it’s worth it! Whether in pies, jam, or fresh off the bush, raspberries are a healthy and delicious treat for many. Their tasty sweet and tart flavor and lovely, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined form a wonderful snack.

Raspberries are always ripe at just the right time to use in a festive red, white, and blue salad or cake for Independence Day. They always add a nice bit of color to the holidays.

On the fourth of July, I made a pie for a pie contest my neighbors put on and won third place! Can you guess what kind of pie it was? Raspberry, of course! If you would like the recipe, here it is:

Fresh Raspberry Pie

You will need…

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 dash salt
• 5 pints fresh raspberries
• Single pie crust
• Whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Chocolate shavings
• 9” pie pan
• An oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tin foil

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add this mixture to the berries and toss gently to cover fruit.

Step 2: Fill a pastry lined pie pan with berry mixture. Decorate edge of crust with desired style. I like to use a fork to create a pattern.

Step 3: Cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in oven for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake 25 minutes more. Cool completely. While pie is cooling, whip the whipping cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar together.

Step 4: Using a spoon, ladle any extra juices out of the baked raspberry mixture.

Step 5: Spread whipped cream on top of cooled pie. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top of pie. Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Stop by and get a pint or two of our delicious, fresh, ruby red raspberries, and let us know how your pie turns out! We hope to see you in our store soon!

Hope Hanson