The Visitation of Mary – May, 31 – Berry Shortcakes

Celebrated on May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the Virgin Mary's visit to her cousin, Elizabeth. The meeting of these two women was a joyful and unique event. Both found themselves pregnant in unusual circumstances ­– Elizabeth in her old age after suffering from infertility and Mary by the Holy Spirit. At their meeting, John the Baptist leaped in the womb of Elizabeth, and she blessed Mary and the Christ Child. Mary, in turn, responds with the famous Magnificat praising the Lord. It is a feast that is celebrated all around the world. In a particular way, a great devotion to our Blessed Mother in Poland brings us to this month's recipe. In Polish folklore, during the Blessed Virgin's journey to visit Elizabeth, she ate berries she found along the way. In remembrance of this, it's customary that Polish pregnant women do not eat berries until this date so that "Our Lady of Berries" would have enough and would petition God for them to grant them healthy children. Given this tradition, today is a day to enjoy berries. Here is a recipe to help you do just that.

 

Ingredients
2 pints berries, any kind you like
1/3 cup sugar
zest and juice of 1 orange
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) cold butter, cut into pieces
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Mix the berries, 1/3 c. sugar, orange zest, and juice and store in the fridge to macerate. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Step 2 - Mix the flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl (or food processor). Add the butter pieces and mix until the butter is completely cut into the flour mixture.  Step 3 - Mix the buttermilk and vanilla in a measuring cup and drizzle into the dry mixture, mixing as you go until the dough comes together and is no longer crumbly.  Step 4 - Drop the mixture in 8 clumps between 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, and bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool completely.  Step 5 - Serve the cakes topped with berries and whipped cream or ice cream