Page 145 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Blueberry (Highbush), Vaccinium

corymbosum (ERICACEAE)

HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY is an upright deciduous shrub
commonly found in swamps, woodlands, pine barrens,
disturbed areas, and along shores. Their stems can
CC BY-SA 2.0
grow up to 23 ft. (7m).
FLOWER AND FRUIT: White or pink urn-shaped blos-
soms are borne in clusters of 8 to 10. Flowers have 5 pet-
als and emerge between May and June. Dusky blue fruits
are round and slightly flat, measuring 0.25-0.5 inches
(0.6-1cm) across. They have a waxy bloom.
S
A
Y
R
ob Hille, C
C-B
LEAF: Foliage is red in spring, turning blue-green in Matt Lavin, CC-BY-SA-2.0 R. A. Nonenmacher, CC-BY-SA-4.0
-
-3.0
summer. Leaves are simple and alternate, with smooth
BLUEBERRY GRUNT: Combine 4 cups berries, 1 cup
or toothed edges. They may be oval or elliptical, with
sugar, and ½ cup water in a pan. Bring to a boil and
a length of 1.5-3 inches (4-7cm). Hairs cover the lower
reduce to a simmer until cooked. Remove from heat.
leaf surfaces.
Add 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. lemon juice. In a bowl,
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit, leaves combine 2 cups flour, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking pow-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Leaves are astringent. Fruits are der, and ½ tsp. salt. Mix in 2 tbsp. butter and 1 cup
high in antioxidants. milk. Roll dough into balls and drop them into your
cooked berries. Set pan on medium heat, cover, and
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Can be savored raw or
steam for 15 min. Top with fresh thyme.
cooked. Pick blueberries when they are at peak maturity
- usually in August-September - as they will not ripen off POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Buckthorn, Rhamnus
the branch. Tea can be made from the leaves and fruit. cathartica
Chokeberry (Black), Aronia
melanocarpa (ROSACEAE)
BLACK CHOKEBERRY is a deciduous suckering shrub
that grows 3 to 6 ft. (1-2m) tall, preferring full sun and
slightly acidic soils. It thrives in woodland edges, shore-
F. D. Richards, CC BY-SA 2.0
lines, meadows, bogs, and roadsides.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Blossoms emerge in loose clumps,
2 inches (5cm) across, during late spring. Flowers may
be white or pink, with 5 petals and showy pink stamens.
Inky-black berries growing up to 0.4 inches (1cm) wide
emerge in clusters in September.
LEAF: Glossy dark-green leaves are simple, obovate, and
alternate. They are 1-3 inches (2-7cm) long with finely easily; they last for a few days at room temperature
toothed edges. In autumn, foliage turns a vivid wine. and can be stored in the freezer for a year.
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit CHOKEBERRY CHUTNEY: Combine 6 ½ lb. (3kg)
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Fruits are extremely rich in an- chokeberries and ⅔ cups sugar in a pot. Cook over
tioxidants. fire while stirring. In a smaller skillet, sauté 4 diced
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Gather chokeberries in red onions in butter. Add onions and butter to your
August-October once they ripen to deep purplish-black. chokeberry mixture along with 6 chopped and peeled
Even when foraged in optimal conditions, they are in- pears, ½ cup vinegar, and a pinch each of cardamom,
allspice, ground cloves, mustard seeds, ginger, and
credibly astringent. The high levels of pectin and tart-
ness make them ideal for jams and jellies. They are also salt. Let simmer for 1 h. Serve with poultry.
processed into juices, teas, and wines. You can harvest POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Buckthorn, Rhamnus
several gallons from a single bush. Berries don’t bruise cathartica
144