Raspberries

Key facts Apart from the fact that they taste wonderful, raspberries are a nutritional powerhouse, containing significant levels of iron, fibre, manganese, vitamin C, copper and polyphenols. This cocktail of goodness means that the fruit is said to help with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and inflammation, as well as degenerative eyesight.

A truly exquisite soft fruit that needs hardly any adornment. I like them served on a plate, spread out in a single layer with a minute sprinkling of sugar, and I eat them just like that as often as I can during the season, which lasts from July to October.

Treat them more or less like strawberries – no water if possible, and covered if you're forced to keep them in the fridge. Raspberries, like strawberries, also lend themselves to countless recipe ideas.

Damaged, over-soft fruits make marvellous tarts, and if you sieve them and add icing sugar to taste you have a wonderful sauce for pouring over ice cream or strawberries.

Related Recipes

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 Serves 6

Summer Fruit Compote

This wonderful summery compote is a great way to use up a glut of fruit if you grow your own or find some reduced in the shops. The joy of it is that you can use any fruit you like.

 

 

 Serves 6

A Summer Trifle with Raspberries and Raspberry Puree

No cooking here - just an assembly job involving ready-made custard, trifle sponges and a few other magic ingredients. You'll end up with a trifle that will be loved by everyone!

 

 

 Serves 6

Summer Fruit Millefeuille

Who can resist such a stunning dessert? To make life easier you can use bought pastry but it's well worth making Delia's quick flaky pastry as it has a wonderful depth of flavour. Use any summer berries you like.

 

 

 Serves 6

Summer Fruit Compôte scented with Lemon Grass

Predominantly fruit, this is a healthy summery dessert to serve to dieters who often feel they miss out on the pudding front. You can use any fruit combination you like - the lemon grass adds a subtle and intriguing element.

 

 

 Serves 6-8

Traditional Raspberry Trifle

Using fresh raspberries for this luscious trifle makes it even more of a treat, with trifle sponges, raspberry jam and custard adding the other dimensions. You could even use a ready-made custard if short of time.