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RASPBERRY

The first of the summer raspberries are coming on this month. Lucky you if you planted some vines because freshly picked raspberries are absolutely divine and plants give you fruit over many months, particularly if you have planted both summer- and autumn-fruiting varieties. Raspberries are at their best when they have developed good colour and come away from the plant easily. Hold the fruit lightly between your thumb and forefinger and pull gently.

Raspberries don’t store particularly well, so plan on eating them within a few days or freeze them for later use. When keeping them in the fridge, store in a breathable container such as a colander or an empty berry container that has slots and holes in it – the type you normally buy berries in – and line it with paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Be sure to remove any damaged or mouldy ones before storing as they could quickly ruin the whole batch.