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BLUEBERRIES Minnesota’s superfood

BY SHANNON GEISEN

Park Rapids Enterprise

Minnesota has two native blueberries: common lowbush blueberries and velvet-leaf blueberries.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, both grow primarily in the northeastern half of the state, but they can be found growing from the furthest northwestern counties all the way to the southeastern corner of the state.

This is a low bush, growing from six inches to two feet high. It often grows in colonies.

Bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers bloom in late May or early June. Berries begin as white, pale blue or green and mature to round, dark blue berries in July and August.

In Minnesota, berry picking is allowed in state parks and in state and national forests, and the rangers might even direct you to a good area. How to pick blueberries

“You don’t need fancy equipment,” writes Teresa Marrone in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, a DNR publication. “A one-gallon ice cream pail with a handle works well to hold the fruit. You can set it on the ground and drop berries into it as you pick, and unlike a plastic bag, it won’t snag on sticks and thorns as you walk.”

Marrone recommends hiking boots are great for rough or steep areas.

The best habitat, says Marrone, includes open, coniferous woodlands and sandy or rocky edges of coniferous and mixedwoods forests; sun-drenched hilltops and rocky ridges; forest clearings; and edges of footpaths. They thrive in areas that have been scoured by fire, where picking can be phenomenal for the next few years.

Blueberries ripen starting in mid- to late July, continuing through August.

Fruits of both native blueberries grow in clusters from branch tips.

“Underripe berries are green, becoming pinkish before ripening to deep blue with a whitish bloom; ripe berries look just like supermarket blueberries but are smaller – typically ¼ to 1/3 inch across. A key ID feature is the short five-pointed crown that is present on the top.

Ripe berries detach easily from the bush,” she writes.

According to Marrone, velvet-leaf blueberries are tarter than common lowbush blueberries.

“Both can be used like domestic blueberries, but because they’re so small they pack together more closely—so you can use a smaller measure of wild blueberries in muffins or similar recipes. Wild blueberries make outstanding jam and pie.” Slow growers

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, blueberry plants grow slowly, and they may not seem to get much bigger from year to year. It takes a blueberry bush about 10 years to reach mature size, but this also means they will live a long, long time.

For those who plant them in their yard, “it will be 2 or 3 years before you start getting large harvests, but it is definitely worth the wait. The bushes are very attractive and will be a beautiful addition to your yard while you wait for fruit.” Freeze like a pro

Minnesota Grown, a newsletter produced by the Minnesota Department of Agricultures, advises the following: ► Don’t wash your berries until you use them. This will help prevent spoilage. ► Remove overly soft fruit, stems and leaves. Be gentle with the fruit. ► Drop berries in cold water and swish for 10 seconds before draining. Dry on towels. ► Place berries on a lined cookie sheet with space around each. Freeze for 30 min. ► Transfer to a seal-able container and freeze completely. Enjoy for up to a year. Go blue

According to Mayo Clinic, scientists have shown that blueberries are loaded with compounds (phytonutrients) that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

Blueberries may also improve short-term memory and promote healthy aging. Blueberries are a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C — 3/4 cup of fresh blueberries has 2.7 grams of fiber and 10.8 milligrams of vitamin C. State muffin

As part of a social studies exercise, a class of third graders in Carlton, Minn., proposed that the blueberry muffin become the state muffin. Their bill was signed into law in 1988.

Itasca State Park is Itasca State Park is jewel of Minnesota jewel of Minnesota

Itasca State Park – Minnesota’s oldest state park – was established on April 20, 1891 to preserve the old growth pine trees that were in danger of being logged.

More than half a million people visit Itasca State Park every year to see the giant pines and wade across the headwaters of the Mississippi River State Water Trail.

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July & August HIGHLIGHTS

at Itasca State Park

Park Rapids is the undisputed Gateway to Itasca State Park and the south entrance is a 22-mile drive from Park Rapids north on Hwy. 71. The east entrance is only a couple miles farther north of the south entrance, and then another mile or so west on Hwy. 200 – you’ll find it easily at the junction of Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 200.

On the drive north from Park Rapids on Hwy. 71 visitors can find several quaint shops and recreation areas to stop at along the way. Also, some fabulous restaurants are located just off of Hwy. 71 that are sure to satisfy any appetite.

Itasca State Park encompasses Lake Itasca, the official source of the Mississippi River, and a scenic area of northern Minnesota that has remained relatively unchanged from its natural state.

► Go camping. The park has hundreds of campsites available with advance reservations required� After a day of exploring the park, relax around a campfire and roast s’mores, or sit and have a chat with other campers while admiring the surrounding forest� At sundown, listen for loon calls and the chirping of crickets�

► Listen to music.

Join Minnesota musicians Jim and Molly from 7 to 9 p�m� July 3 at the historic Forest Inn, where they will perform familiar folk and folk rock songs and share stories� Go to the Itasca State Park website and click on events to see all of the opportunities available for both children and adults� ► Take a hike. There are 49 miles of trails at Itasca� To get a sense for what northern Minnesota was like before logging changed the landscape, hike the half-mile Bohall Trail� There are more giant pines along the Nicollet Trail�

► View the Perseids

meteor shower. Escape the city lights and watch for meteor showers that peak Aug� 11-13� The meteors are called the Perseids because the point from which they appear to hail lies in the constellation Perseus�

► Visit historic

Douglas Lodge. This two-story log building built in 1905 is located on the south shore of Lake Itasca, with parking in front and easy access to trails� Relax in the cozy parlor with a sitting area furnished with antiques� Meals are available in the restaurant, and a staircase leads to guest rooms on the second floor�

► Enjoy time on

the lake. Try kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding on one of the park’s 100 lakes� Equipment is available to rent at Itasca Sports located in the park� Lake Itasca Tours also offers excursions of the Chester Charles tour boat� The narrated tour follows the same route taken by Ozawindib in 1832 when he guided Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River�

► Go fishing. Lake Itasca has a variety of fish, including northern pike, large-mouth bass, sunfish, crappies, perch and walleye, or try fishing for muskie on Elk Lake� The smaller Lake Ozawindib is a popular bass lake, and Mary Lake has crappies and sunfish� Both Lake Itasca and Lake Ozawindib have fishing piers� Check Minnesota fishing regulations for state park lakes�

► Cool off at the

beach. Itasca State Park has a sandy swimming beach located in the picnic grounds with views of the Mississippi Headwaters� The beach and changing house were developed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s�

► Take a bike

ride. Sixteen miles of paved trails wind through the forest� Parking and access is available at several points along the trail, including the Douglas Lodge area, Jacob V� Brower Visitor Center, picnic grounds and the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center� Itasca Sports, located in the park, offers bike rentals�

► Visit the Mississippi River Headwa-

ters. A trip to Itasca wouldn’t be complete without a stop to see where the mighty Mississippi river begins its 2,318-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico� Walk across the river on the rocks or take a hike on the adjoining trails�

Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Stand under towering pines at Preacher’s Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann’s Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota’s seven National Natural Landmarks.

But the main attraction will continue to be walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River on stones at the mouth of Lake Itasca. But there are plenty of other activities to do at the park. Other outdoor activities include taking an excursion boat on Lake Itasca, exploring along Wilderness Drive, biking or hiking along more than 30 miles of designated trails, fishing in one of the many lakes, observing the wild flowers in season as well as birding. Like the entire Park Rapids area, wildlife can be seen throughout the park.

For more information about the park events and schedules, call Itasca State Park headquarters at 218-699-7251, email itasca.statepark@state.mn.us or go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/ index.html.

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