Wild Berries Scouting Report & Blackberry Recipes

We have lots of wild berries here; mostly blackberries, but red and black raspberries can also be found. Last year we picked what seemed like an enormous quantity of berries. We made cobblers, syrup, jam, vinegar, and a drink concentrate called shrub, among other things. It was all so good. So good that we ran out of well before the next berry season.

This season I am determined to pick more, preserve more and have more to enjoy through the winter. Last week the kids and I went on a scouting mission to see how the berries were coming along. It has been a hot, dry spring here. The berries are showing it. Some of the foliage is already dying away, before the berries are ripe. The black raspberries are tiny, and seedy without much flavor. The blackberries are producing, but the fruit is much smaller, and not as sweet as last year. The red raspberries come a bit later, so it is a little early to tell how they are doing.

The season really isn't here yet. The first good harvest last year was June 29th. I am hoping that the last few days of cooler and wetter weather will help the berries, and next week we will find tons of big sweet berries.

There are good blackberries to be had, but they are deep in the thickets. My arms and legs show the evidence of how deep the berries are in the thickets. Note to self: Must wear long sleeves and pants when picking! We managed to find about two quarts of berries despite the weather, and the fact that it is a bit early.

The first quart was used to make Boiled Blackberry Dumplings. The second for syrup. Recipes adapted from Bootstraps and Biscuits.

Boiled Blackberry Dumplings
Dumplings
1 C flour
2 1/2 TB butter
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 C sugar
milk for dropping batter (about 2/3 C)

Sauce
4 C blackberries
1 C water
1 C sugar

Put sauce ingredients in a wide bottom pan. Stir to a boil. Mix up dumplings. Pour mix by the spoonful over the sauce. Put a lid and and do not remove until cooked, about 20 minutes.

Berry Syrup
Put 4 C berries, 4 C sugar and 3 C water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for about 15 minutes. Strain.

I fed the leftover pulp to the birds, but it can also be used to make fruit leather.

I have big plans for the berries this year. I sure hope that they cooperate!

wild food, blackberries, recipes