Woman’s Civic Club celebrates 115 years with blueberry cookbook

Kristin Guglietti/THG Woman’s Civic Club President Pat Berenato, Cookbook Committee Member Cindy Rubba, Cookbook Committee Chairperson Aimee Barts and Cookbook Committee Member Sue Fognano hold up the Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton 115th Anniversary Commemorative Blueberry Cookbook.

HAMMONTON—It’s the end of blueberry season, but residents who freeze the beloved fruit can still try over 100 different local recipes from a new cookbook.

“This is Hammonton. A lot of families freeze blueberries. They want new recipes with blueberries in them because of our town and our main crop,” Pat Berenato, President of the Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton said.

The Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton celebrated their 115th anniversary by printing a commemorative blueberry cookbook.

According to the cookbook, recipes have been passed down by members, their families, local farmers, businesses and friends.

“Creating this book brought back many family memories of baking with Nonna, self-picking in fields, sharing recipes with friends and just baking for our family. We hope you enjoy the recipes as much as we did collecting them,” the cookbook read.

The Woman’s Civic Club ordered 300 cookbooks to sell during the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce’s Red, White and Blueberry Festival and 66 books are left.

Some of the recipes include blueberry salsa, blueberry sangria, baked salmon with blueberry and red onion jam, blueberry crisp, blueberry ice cream and even blueberry dog treats.

A month ago, The Gazette published a story about the First United Methodist Church of Hammonton who sold hundreds of Blueberry Pizza during their 16th annual sale. The recipe, which was given to the church courtesy of the Galletta family can be found in the Woman’s Civic Club blueberry cookbook.

Years ago, the Woman’s Civic Club sponsored a blueberry bakeoff contest and many of the winners are also published in the cookbook with permission from the families.

The Woman’s Civic Club Cookbook Committee 2024 consisted of Berenato, Chairperson Aimee Barts, Susan Fognano, Karen Berenato, Susan Leiser, Cindy Rubba, Natale Cortellessa, Brenda Brandley, Rita Mae Perna, Rhonda Maimone and Marylee Kondrach.

The club would like to thank the following local participating businesses for sharing recipes for their cookbook: Annata Wine Bar, Blue Rascal Distillery, Columbia II Restaurant, Plagido’s Winery, Rocco’s Town House, Silver Dollar Farm, The Alley Bar and Grille and Tomasello Winery.

One thing the committee would like to ask the public is if cheesecake is a cake or what category should it be in? Currently, the blueberry cheesecake recipes are under the Cake, Cobblers & Crisps category in the cookbook.

The idea for the blueberry cookbook started a year ago in November 2023 because the club wanted to do something to represent the club at the Red, White and Blueberry Festival.

Berenato said the club used to create cookbooks years ago and they wanted to make the blueberry cookbook to commemorate the Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton’s 115th anniversary.

“The book itself is the celebration. We wanted to celebrate us and us being in Hammonton and that connection with between the blueberry in Hammonton. It just felt right to do something like this,” Barts said.

According to Barts, the club received a good response from the community.

“We got a really good response from the community and our club members. Everyone sent in recipes or we found recipes that we really wanted in the cookbook too. Local wineries, local businesses, local restaurants they put in recipes as well,” Barts said.

The Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton, established in 1908, is a club in the Southern District of the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs and the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. They are committed to serving the Hammonton community by making a difference in the lives of others.

Through the purchase of this cookbook, they will be able to continue their activities and programs in the areas of education, food insecurity, family outreach, child advocacy, wellness, civic engagement, literacy, woman’s health and veterans support.

“It really helps our community service projects, which are usually family, children and the local schools,” Berenato said.

There are order forms on the back of the cookbook for people who wish to obtain additional copies.

The cookbook makes a perfect gift for holidays, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays.

If people would like to purchase a copy of the blueberry cookbook, they can call Fognano at (609)412-3248 or Barts at (609)313-2506.

Kristin Guglietti/THG The Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton 115th Anniversary Commemorative Blueberry Cookbook is full of local recipes.

Books can be purchased during their fall vendor fair in October if they’re still available.

The Woman’s Civic Club of Hammonton meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at 418 South Liberty St. There is no meeting in August.

Blueberry Salsa

1 cup blueberries

1 1/2 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons red onion, minced

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Using the back of a large spoon or potato masher, crush half of the blueberries into a small bowl. Add the remaining blueberries. Add cilantro, onion and vinegar. Lightly toss to combine mixture. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Refrigerate. Make this recipe up to 8 hours before serving. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.