I love making homemade baby food from fresh fruits and veggies for my son. When he turned six months old back in April, I already had a freezer full of nutritious and delicious purees ready for my son to explore. In addition to blackberries, one of the earliest fruits that I fed him was raspberries. Raspberries are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Although high in natural sugars, the fruit is a good source of vitamin K and magnesium and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. Raspberries also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.
To make my homemade baby food, I started with a small container of raspberries and some fluoride-free baby water. After rinsing the raspberries in my sink, I combined the fruit in a glass bowl with some water and then cooked the mixture to tenderness in my microwave. I then allowed the cooked mixture to cool slightly before spooning the raspberries into my Baby Bullet with some additional water. I then blended the mixture into a thin puree. (For older babies, use less water for a thicker mash.) Once puréed, I spooned the raspberry mixture into freezer containers and ice cube trays for easier freezing. After the puree froze, I moved the frozen cubes into freezer safe baggies for easier storage. Now as my son needs fruit, I simply thaw a few cubes in the refrigerator or microwave.
Does your child like raspberries? Do you make your own baby food?
Image Credits
Washing the Raspberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Raw Raspberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Cooked Raspberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Homemade Raspberry Baby Food in Silicone Ice Cube Trays © 2015 Heather Johnson