Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. But what we did have were lots of life lessons learned while spending time outside.

You see, until I was 14 years old, we lived in a mobile home. It was not a nice one like you might see now. It was a single-wide, terrible insulation, floor-falling-in, kind of trailer. During the Summer months, it would get so hot inside, that it was almost cooler outside (because of the breeze).

So my childhood was mostly spent outdoors. I had a swing set near the honeysuckle bushes that always smelled so sweet. There two girls that lived down the street that were in my grade at school and we were always at each others’ houses – outside mostly.

My dad had a garden where he grew fruits and vegetables. He grew all sorts of things – like purple green beans and sunflowers as tall as the shed’s roof. He also had a banana tree that never produced bananas…I never understood that.

We lived in the country, as did all of my parents’ friends. I remember countless summers spent at the Thompsons’ house, where we had a bon fire, picked dewberries, and the moms played Bunco while the dads played Risk. All of the kids were around the same age, so we never had a shortage of someone to play with.

One night I remember very specifically. We picked tons of dewberries and then went inside and made a cobbler with them. I can still remember how good that cobbler was. Warm, sweet dewberries were covered with a flaky crust and served with a big scoop of vanilla Blue Bell ice cream on top.

What Are Dewberries?

Dewberries are a smaller version of a blackberry. They’re a little more tart than a traditional blackberry, but grow in a bush more like a raspberry.

Where Do You Find Dewberries?

Bushes. No, but really they’re usually found in undeveloped areas – and only during the Summer. They are red until they’re ripe and ready for the picking. Word of advice…be careful of the thorns! The larger the plant, the more intense those thorns can be.

How Do You Wash and Prepare Dewberries?

Since you are picking something that is found in nature, chances are that “nature” is going to try to come home with you. One way to flush it all out and make sure your berries are clean is to put the dewberries in a bowl and cover it with 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Completely immerse them. Stir them occasionally and let them soak for a good 10 minutes.

Once they’re done, you’ll see tiny caterpillars, ants, and all sorts of stuff float up to the top. Strain and rinse them well. Pat them dry and keep them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to use.

What Can You Make With Dewberries?

You really can think of dewberries just as any other berry, so feel free to experiment and use them like you would blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries. They’d be great on an angel food cake, in a cocktail, or blended in a smoothie. Have fun with it!

Can I Make this Recipe with Other Types of Berries?

Absolutely! This recipe will work with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries! You could also substitute with other fruits like peaches (fresh, frozen, or canned), pineapple, or apple. Get creative and have fun with it!