Tayberries--new to me

I didn't make it to the Oak Park Farmer's Market till almost noon today. I was able to scarf up bargains on English peas*, P-Flag quick breads, and green beans. I also took the last three boxes of something I'd swear was labeled "tawberry." Google tells me there's no such thing, however, though there is a tayberry, and that's obviously what I bought.


Amazing. Very soft--I'm surprised they can even make them to the market and by the time they'd sat in my shopping bag in the hot car for a couple of hours they were practically mush.




Wonderful wonderful flavor and intoxicating perfume. Very sweet--closer to a raspberry than a blackberry--but with a depth that raspberries don't have. Red juice all over everything. They'd make terrific ice cream or jam, but they're mighty good eating straight out of the container--preferably out-of-doors with a good supply of napkins handy.

If you don't have the time or tools for ice cream, a smoothie is not a bad alternative--and the blackberry-like seeds even add a little fiber



I'm sorry I can't remember the grower's name, but he's the guy in the northwest corner who sells all the varieties of apples in the fall.



* How to pass time while you're spending the afternoon in the hospital with your mother-in-law and get your English peas shelled at the same time? Just spread them out on the tray in front of her wheelchair and you can both work on them. I think they call it "occupational therapy."

Funny, we had brunch with the VI family today and they were talking about tayberries. After saying I didn't know what they were they tried describing them. From their discription I pictured them more like blackberries and more of that coloring. Thanks for the picture I now know what they look like and will look for them next week at the farmers market.
Paulette

Tayberries are a blackberry x raspberry cross, made in Scotland (hence the name). I grew them for awhile--they're very easy to grow--but it's just too hot in KC for them. They're famous for their perfume, as you noted.

Geo

Great pics Ann!

The vendor is Walt Skibbe, who I would say is my second favorite fruit vendor at the OP Market--Hardin Farms being my first. Besides the great berries, Skibbe has outstanding apples.