Gooseberries can be enjoyed fresh but are excellent for baking and preserving. A favourite in jams and tarts, they also make tasty chutney. Their distinctive sweet-sour flavour works well in pies, either on their own or with other berries, especially blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
Gooseberries are high in vitamin C and contain potassium, vitamins B1, B2 and A.
Look for berries that are firm and not wrinkled, clear and bright in colour.
How to store gooseberries
- Arrange unwashed on a paper towel in a shallow pan.
- Loosely cover, refrigerate unwashed for up to ten days.
How to freeze gooseberries
- Do not wash gooseberries before freezing them.
- Pack the berries into freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to one year.
How to prepare gooseberries
- Rinse in cool water.
- Remove stem from top of berry and the dried remains of the flower from the other end.
- The larger, dark berries make excellent jellies. Small green berries are highly prized for their flavour in pies.
