What to do with a boring blackberry

Not every plant we try out in the the Sunset test garden is a winner. In fact this thornless ‘Black Satin’ blackberry is kind-of of a dud—flat and insipid tasting. I guess the flavor went out with the thorns. Still, it’s nice and juicy, and when I strolled along our berry walk yesterday, where we’re trialing strawberries and blueberries as well, I was inspired to add a little test kitchen magic and create a simple garden berry ice cream sundae.

The boring but juicy thornless ‘Black Satin’ blackberry

Lemon verbena berry ice cream sundae

This recipe comes together in about the time it takes to soften ice cream enough so it’s scoopable.

Heat 2 tbsp. honey with a few small lemon verbena leaves or a strip of lemon peel in a saucepan just until bubbling. Take it off the heat, let it sit 5 minutes, then stir in 1 tbsp. Meyer lemon juice, a handful each of blackberries and strawberries, and a few blueberries. Let it stand 5 minutes for the  blackberries to suck up the sweetness of the honey, the tang of the lemon, and the aromatics of the lemon verbena. Then spoon over vanilla ice cream.

Anybody have a suggestion for this other problem along the berry walk, seen here poking it’s brown head from its new home?