After the gooseberries have been harvested, the real work begins. In order to be able to process the fruits further, they must be cleaned carefully. We explain how to do it right.
What to remove from a gooseberry
Ripe gooseberries usually have a smooth, more or less thick skin. At one end there is still a remnant of the fruit stalk after picking. The dried-up rest of the flower hangs at the other end. Both do not dissolve even after prolonged cooking and would noticeably reduce the enjoyment of jam or cake toppings. Therefore, the rather time-consuming cleaning is a matter of honor for the quality-conscious housewife. That is how it goes:
- Wash the fresh gooseberries in lukewarm water
- Use your fingernails to snap off the stems and brown appendages
- Alternatively, cut off with small scissors
Clever housewives pack the gooseberries into the potato peeling machine and have them cleaned.
Effectively prevent bursting gooseberries
Cleaning gooseberries is the best way to prevent cracking with a simple extra touch. This applies to berries that are boiled or frozen and are therefore subject to temperature fluctuations. Each gooseberry is pricked with a thin needle so that the pressure can escape later.
This trick also works for berries that go into the oven as a cake topping. The effort is worth it, because the eye always eats with gooseberries.
Don't brush too early
After harvesting, gooseberries do not keep for long. Unwashed, they stay fresh in the fridge for about 2 weeks. However, this shelf life is dramatically reduced if the fruit is first cleaned and then stored. In this case, they already go limp after 2 days in the vegetable compartment. Therefore, always clean gooseberries immediately before eating or preparing them.
tips and tricks
Are the gooseberry bushes full of berries and threatening to collapse under the weight? Then you quickly harvest part of the half-ripe fruit. They are excellent for cooking. The remaining gooseberries remain on the bush to be eaten fully ripe and fresh.
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