Elderberry
Raw elderberries are incredibly tart, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a place in your kitchen.For centuries,elderberries have been used to make jams, pies, pastries,syrups and even wine. Cooking the berry reduces the tartness and allows the fruit’s uniquely earthy flavor to shine through.
Elderberries are rarely available in markets, but fortunately they’re relatively common in the wild. You can find elderberry bushes in low, warm areas from July through September. When you’re foraging for elderberries in the wild, look for full, dense bushes that are filled with clusters of vibrant green leaves. There are both blue and red elderberries, but only hunt for the blue ones; red elderberries are overwhelmingly tart and unpalatable. Select deep, rich, dark blue berries for the best flavor.
If you’ve got a garden, consider planting elderberries. They’re relatively easy to grow and their flowers make an attractive display during the summer.
Americans don’t eat as many elderberries as they once did, and it’s a shame. They contain more phosphorus and potassium than any other temperature fruit. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C. Elderberries have been used to centuries to treat wounds, colds and other respiratory illnesses.
You can make a delightful syrup from elderberries to adorn pancakes, ice cream and even meat dishes. Boil the berries in water until they become soft, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the berries, then puree them in a food processor or blender. Strain the pureed berries through cheese cloth or a fine-mesh sieve and return them to the pot. For each pound of berries, add 1 cup of sugar and cook the mixture over low heat until it has thickened.
Source: herbwisdom.com, fruit.cornell.edu, umm.edu, kcweb.com, ehow.com
Image by Stephen McKay available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 License
Raw elderberries are incredibly tart, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a place in your kitchen.For centuries,elderberries have been used to make jams, pies, pastries,syrups and even wine. Cooking the berry reduces the tartness and allows the fruit’s uniquely earthy flavor to shine through.
Elderberries are rarely available in markets, but fortunately they’re relatively common in the wild. You can find elderberry bushes in low, warm areas from July through September. When you’re foraging for elderberries in the wild, look for full, dense bushes that are fi..
Read more.....
