Raspberries are sunshine and summer in each bite...and there is no place better for berry picking and buying than Oregon. Farmer's markets in the area will have raspberries from around the last week of June until the middle of July. You may find growers who will have them into the fall, as some varieties are ever bearing or fall bearing. Check out the Oregon Berries site for the ins and outs of berry production in our great state.
When we moved into our new home, we were thrilled to see a 20 ft row of raspberry canes with a support trellis and watering system in place. Some of the plants had died out, so I ordered a handful of Fall Gold Raspberries to supplement and extend the harvest. The original plants are red raspberries, but beyond that, I haven't a clue as to their variety.
Although there are very few things to do with fresh raspberries that rival standing out in the patch, eating handfuls of them, I found a really great recipe on Epicurious for a Raspberry Sour Cream Tart. I found another tart recipe at Gingerich Farm, located in Canby, Oregon.
There are other fun things to try with raspberries...one of my favorite is a raspberry vinaigrette. The folks at Sisterfields have a raspberry vinegar, which would make it possible to whip up that dressing all year round. And in the event you are looking for something with a bit of a kick, Oak Knoll winery has a dessert style raspberry wine called Frambrosia.
Even if you whip up some cream with a bit of confectioner's sugar and a dash of vanilla and add that atop a mound of freshly harvested raspberries, you simply can't go wrong...Probably one of the easiest desserts, and most appreciated!
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