Oregon. A Culinary Travel Experience

Oregon is the Northwest cornucopia of some of the most distinctive fresh produce since the temperate climates allow a long growing season. Along with the abundant rainfall, nature takes excellent care of your table menu items giving these just the correct amount of sun and tender loving care.

Port Orford, in the fall, will supply many companies with cranberries. These succulent, crimson berries will be shipped to Ocean Spray that package them, process for jelly and juice them as well. If you want to make a road side stop, along Highway #101 you can view many of the bogs and marvel at the beginning of your experience when they are bought later. Hundreds of acres of cranberries are harvested every year. The collection of these delicious tangy berries is done with a "beater". By a most interesting, mechanical device; the beater sifts through the water, knocking the cranberries off the vines. The freed cranberries then float for the final collection. Many cleaning processes are accomplished before the washed cranberries are sorted, packaged ,and shipped to Northland, Decas as well as Smuckers and Ocean Spray.

A visual delight as well as a savory one, are the numerous Strawberry farms in Corvallis, Oregon. Bring your appetite if you would like to pick your own, since samples are encouraged. Saunter through the rows of well cared for plants to fill you stomach and baskets with the fresh fruit only Oregon seems to offer. Buying American grown means that you are supporting our local growers and getting the best too. If you are unable to pick your own, you have an option to buy already selected baskets for sale. You will also see other farm produce, since Corvallis farmers quite often have many products from their farm lands for purchase. Plan on a mid June harvest trip to Corvallis for strawberries.

Blueberries are another delicious product of Corvallis. These dusty looking blue berries are so sweet and healthy, you might desire to buy more than you can eat or give as gifts. I bring many containers home and freeze them for use in the future. If washed, drained and put in zip lock baggies, they are a savory treat anytime you want them.

Coastal Blackberries grow wild. Don't be surprised to see many people stopping along Highway #101 in the latter part of May right into July to grab some of these delicately flavored berries. Just to entice you further, they make delicious blackberry cobbler with whipped cream on top.

A visit to any of the local farmers markets throughout the state will supply you with local produce offered and not limited to: Tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, asparagus, corn, string beans, cabbage, broccoli, sprouts,
eggplant, garlic, many kinds of mushrooms, apples, apricots, grapes and rhubarb. If I did not mention your favorite, it does not mean it cannot be bought. I just got too hungry mentioning all these and had to leave for one of the culinary treats Oregon grows.