I have been inordinately obsessed with red huckleberries ever since I ate a handful at a friend’s house years ago. This year is epic for them, and I finally managed to pick several pounds. Here’s how to find, harvest, prep and eat your red hucks.
berries and fruits
How to Eat Manzanita Berries
Manzanita berries are ripening all over California right now, but few know that they are not only edible, but are well worth your time to collect. The secret? Grind the dry, apple-like berries to make a sort of manzanita sugar.
Huckleberry Muffins
It’s huckleberry season here in the West. And while my favorite way to eat hucks is in a bowl with cream, I also love huckleberry muffins. My version has a bit of a tang to it from sour cream.
Blackberry Syrup
Blackberry syrup was my favorite at the International House of Pancakes when I was a kid. It’s still one of the few syrups I still make every year, mostly to mix with seltzer water (or vodka) for drinks. Here’s how to make it.
Duck Breast with Beer Sauce
Duck breast. Beer. Wild berries. What’s not to love? This is an original recipe very, very loosely inspired by an Icelandic dish that uses beer and malt (or beer) vinegar as the main component in the sauce. It’s one of the first times I’ve used beer this way, and it won’t be the last.
Paw Paw Ice Cream
Paw paws, the Hoosier banana, custard apple or Indiana banana. America’s largest native fruit, is indeed a little bit like a banana — and it makes a great ice cream.
Venison Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce
Pairing venison with fruit is an age-old thing, and blueberry or huckleberries are a particularly good match. This recipe is an Icelandic version that is not sweet at all. The blueberries are balanced with mushrooms and wine to make a really classy yet easy dish.
Exploring California Coffeeberries
First off, did you know that coffee comes from berries? Probably. Now, did you know that there’s a California coffeeberry? Probably not. Actually, there are several varieties. And yes, you can make your own coffee from them. And yes, it’s really good!