Food
Food Information
Fruit
Berries

GOOSEBERRIES

Gooseberries are very tart berries that grow on a spiny bush. They look like light green translucent seedless grapes and when they are very fresh they are covered with fuzz. As they age and ripen, the pale-green hue changes to bronze and the fuzz disappears. Even when the green gooseberries are cooked, they lose color and turn brown. Gooseberries are too tart to use as raw fruit, but they make a superb jam. Like currants, which aren't nearly as tart, gooseberries have all but disappeared from our marketplace, although they are highly prized in Europe. The British make a fine gooseberry jam and the French use them to make a sauce that is traditionally served with baked mackerel. They also make a great pie for those who like tart fruit.

Deamer 5/97