In Season: Golden Raspberries
JUNE 29, 2007 - I'd never heard of Bend, Oregon, until our pals rented a house here for a mountain biking holiday.Of course the first thing we did(after exploringPhils Trail with its classic Whoop-de-doos, and tubing down the Deschutes River) was investigate whether there was a farmers market. And though the town has only 75,000 people, there was indeed - in fact, it was the busiest farmers market I had ever seen. I find it heartening that every town in North America seems to have one. In Bend, it seems to be the heart and soulof the town.
There was a long snaking line from the stall selling Oregon berries: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and more. I was actually intimidated! But then I was standingin line at a slightly less crazy organic veggie stall, and spotted the Golden Raspberries. Of course I grabbed a couple of containers, as here was yet another food I had never tried.
And the taste? Delicious, of course. Not far off the red ones, but more floral. The berries were insanely delicate, which is probably why you won't find them in the megamart.
However, they did just fine in a glass of Oregon pinot gris. Sitting in the back yard with friends, I thought how much local eating has enriched my life. -ADS
