ElderBerry!

Yesterday I got a call early in the morning. It was Fredman, down at the Farmers Market. Fredman is such a sweet man. He's got a neat booth, with the most beautiful gourds, and heirloom fruits. This is the 4th year he's gotten Elderberries for me. He had picked my Elderberries and had them with him. So I threw on my shoes and off I went. I got 10 pounds.

I went home and got out my bowl and fork and started to take the Berries off the stems.
It took awhile, but I plow threw it. Beautiful Berries. Ahh my Precious.



Elderberries are such a fantastic gift from nature. Elderberries are a member of the Honey suckle family. If you go out to harvest your own. Be sure you know what your doing. Do not pick the red Elderberries they can make you sick.

Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis.

Elderberries are especially high in Vitamin C, calcium, potassium and iron content, and have a tart, rich flavor. Usually they are cooked into jam, jelly, pie, vinegar or made into wine although some people like to eat them right off the bush when they're completely ripe. They're rather seedy, but the seed is edible.

After I washed them. I put them into a pan. Slowly cooked them for 15 to 30 minutes. Allowed them to cool and strain and drain. I then added Raw Honey. I made Syrup with them. Put into sterilized canning jars and if I get time to can them I will. Or I can just put them into the freezer.
Keeps my family all winter from getting sick.

I did keep some to dry for tea. A few for making Muffins too. Here's that recipe:

Elderberry muffins

2/3 cup honey )
2 ½ tablespoons shortening )
cream together3 cups flour )
2 tsp. baking powder )
sift together and set aside pinch of salt )
1 egg - add to creamed mixture
1 cup milk - add to creamed mixture alternately with dry ingredients
1 cup elderberries - add to batter
Pour into greased muffin tins (yield 12 muffins), and bake in 350 degree oven approximately 20 minutes.

Yummy!

Aren't they just beautiful!