Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
The elderberry is borne from small fragrant flowers that bloom in midsummer creating fruit in the late summer to early fall.
Current Facts
Elderberry, scientific name, Sambucus canadensis, AKA American Elder, is a partially self-fruiting bush berry plant that is considered poisonous, though its toxicity levels (of cyanogenic glycoside and alkaloid) are considered low if eaten. Unripe berries and foliage are specifically considered toxic, though if cooked all toxic compounds are eliminated. As elderberries are generally a wild fruit plant, little cultivation, breeding has been done to improve the plant, though there are a handful of different cultivars to choose from for home gardening. Most elderberry plants are grown for ornamental and edible landscape use. Commercially, elderberries are used as a jam and the flowers of the plant are utilized for infusing alcohol to create liqueur and wine.
Description/Taste
The tapioca pearl-sized deep purple elderberries grow in clusters, stemming from branches. The fruits have an appearance of micro sized blueberries, though, unlike a blueberry, their flavors are simply not mellow nor sweet. The Elderberry has the distinctly tart and acidic flavor of a wild berry, perhaps an inherent defense mechanism. Although the fruit can be eaten raw, cooking elderberries mellows the fruit's flavor and has been the singular method used to make this tart fruit considered edible.
Nutritional Value
Elderberries have high levels of Vitamin C. In extract form, the elderberry has been proven effective in fighting Avian flu as it is rich in antioxidants that support the body's immune system and fight free radicals.
Applications
Elderberries may be cooked down into jams and jellies and used as a main ingredient in pies. Stew elderberries and serve as a sauce for game. Use fresh elderberries to garnish fruit tarts and meat platters. Add fresh berries to ice cream custard and process until frozen. Elderberries can be turned into wine, schnapps or vinegar. To store, wrap loosely in plastic or lie between paper towels in a single layer on a tray and refrigerate.
Geography/History
The elderberry plant is native to North America. Plants grow wild from Northern Mexico to British Columbia. They thrive in moist soil along stream banks, river banks, in slopes and canyons or in openings within forest habitats with warm sunny days. Although, the raw plant is considered poisonous to ingest as humans, the Elderberry plant serves as food for the wild, including birds, squirrels, elk, deer and bears. It is also planted as agricultural cover crop and food for livestock, including goats, sheep and cattle.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Elder Berries. One
is easiest, three is harder.
The elderberry is borne from small fragrant flowers that bloom in midsummer creating fruit in the late summer to early fall.
Current Facts
Elderberry, scientific name, Sambucus canadensis, AKA American Elder, is a partially self-fruiting bush berry plant that is considered poisonous, though its toxicity levels (of cyanogenic glycoside and alkaloid) are considered low if eaten. Unripe berries and foliage are specifically considered toxic, though if cooked all toxic compounds are eliminated. As elderberries are generally a wild fruit plant, little cultivation, breeding has been done to improve the plant, though there are a handful of different cultivars to choose from for home gardening. Most elderberry plants are grown for ornamental and edible landscape use. Commercially, elderberries are used as a jam and the flowers of the plant are utilized for infusing alcohol to create liqueur and wine.
Description/Taste
The tapioca pearl-sized deep purple elderberries grow in clusters, stemming from branches. The fruits have an appearance of micro sized blueberries, though, unlike a blueberry, their flavors are simply not mellow nor sweet. The Elderberry has the distinctly tart and acidic flavor of a wild berry, perhaps an inherent defense mechanism. Although the fruit can be eaten raw, cooking elderberries mellows the fruit's flavor and has been the singular method used to make this tart fruit considered edible.
Nutritional Value
Elderberries have high levels of Vitamin C. In extract form, the elderberry has been proven effective in fighting Avian flu as it is rich in antioxidants that support the body's immune system and fight free radicals.
Applications
Elderberries may be cooked down into jams and jellies and used as a main ingredient in pies. Stew elderberries and serve as a sauce for game. Use fresh elderberries to garnish fruit tarts and meat platters. Add fresh berries to ice cream custard and process until frozen. Elderberries can be turned into wine, schnapps or vinegar. To store, wrap loosely in plastic or lie between paper towels in a single layer on a tray and refrigerate.
Geography/History
The elderberry plant is native to North America. Plants grow wild from Northern Mexico to British Columbia. They thrive in moist soil along stream banks, river banks, in slopes and canyons or in openings within forest habitats with warm sunny days. Although, the raw plant is considered poisonous to ingest as humans, the Elderberry plant serves as food for the wild, including birds, squirrels, elk, deer and bears. It is also planted as agricultural cover crop and food for livestock, including goats, sheep and cattle.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Elder Berries. One
is easiest, three is harder.
