Québec’s summer season would not be the same without the arrival of berries of all kinds! The strawberry season is well underway at your public markets, with the juicy red fruits gracing the stands of your favourite merchants. Raspberries and blueberries will be arriving later in July.

Stock up on berries throughout the summer in your markets, to eat locally all year round! Nathalie, from Nathalie and Richard Trottier’s stand in Jean Talon Market, suggests freezing your fresh, locally grown strawberries by first rinsing and draining them, then slicing them up to put in the freezer in an appropriate bag. Strawberries freeze well and are perfect in your smoothies, as jam, in crumbles or as “ice cubes” for your flavoured water. Just think, you could be eating flavourful Québec strawberries in the middle of a snowstorm this winter!

Several other varieties of berries will be coming into the market during the summer season— gooseberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, blackberries and haskaps. They’re perfect for making delicious jams or jellies. They can also be eaten au naturel for those who appreciate their tartness and slightly sour taste, in the case of haskaps. Don’t be shy about trying these fruits and asking your enthusiastic producers about them. They’ll be pleased to give you tips about the best ways to prepare and eat them.

In a savory dish, a sweet desert, as a snack or in your flavoured water, Québec’s berries are one of summer’s pleasures.

Discover the berry producers in your public markets.

À la recherche d’une recette estivale mettant à l’honneur des petits fruits? Voici nos coups de cœurs!
– Strawberry-rhubarb-basil lemonade


– Beet and raspberry hummus


– Strawberries-rhubarb-salsa