Season: June to July

Description: A relative of the currant and native to Europe, Africa and Asia, the gooseberry is green, red, purple, yellow, or white and is about the size of a cherry tomato. The berry was banned in the 1930’s for fear of the spread of white pine blister rust. Yet American gooseberries have started to gain back their popularity since the ban was lifted in the 1960’s. The taste is generally sour and tart when eaten raw, and the fruit is usually incorporated into recipes for jams, tarts, pies or pickles. In Portugal gooseberries are popular when mixed with soda, water and milk. Due to its tartness and high vitamin C content, gooseberry concoctions have been associated as a remedy for the symptoms of the common cold and fever.