Look for:
hard, dry berries that are rich in color. Green berries are not ripe but are good for pies and jams.
Avoid:
soft or wet berries.
Seasonality: Spring and summer
Storing Gooseberries
Refrigerate up to 2 weeks. The berries will turn pinker and softer during refrigeration. Once they turn purple, the fruit is good for purees for 1 more week.
Preparing Gooseberries
Peel back the parchment-like husk and rinse. Remove stems and tops with kitchen scissors before eating or cooking. Gooseberries can be eaten raw or cooked.