Page 184 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Hackberry, Celtis

occidentalis (CANNABACEAE)

COMMON HACKBERRY is a large deciduous tree that
ranges from 20 to 70 ft. (6-20m) in height. The brown-
grey bark of mature trees is often gnarled with corky
Andreas Rockstein, CC BY-SA 2.0
protrusions. All hackberry species have edible berries.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Greenish-yellow flowers appeat
between April and May. Each fruit is 0.3-0.4 inches (0.8-
1cm) broad and contains a single seed. They ripen to
dark red or blue-black between autumn and early winter.
LEAF: Dark green leaves are simple, alternate, and
sharply toothed, with pale undersides. Measuring about Marija Gajic, CC-BY-SA-4.0
3.5 inches (9cm) long, their ovate blades have long, ta-
a tarp below the tree and shaking the tree’s limbs is
pered, slightly curved tips. In autumn, foliage turns pale
often the best harvesting method. Hackberries last
yellow.
for 2-3 weeks in the fridge and will even persist on
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit the tree throughout the winter.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: A decoction of the bark has HACKBERRY MILK: Ingredients: 1 cup hackberries,
been used to treat STDs and sore throats. 2 cups water. Crush hackberries with mortar and
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Hackberries have been pestle. Combine hackberries and water in a pot. Cov-
described as a quirky cross between a fruit and a nut. er and gently simmer low heat, stirring occasionally,
They can be enjoyed raw, or in jams, preserves, and for 20 min. Strain through a nut milk bag or cheese-
‘hackberry milk’. They can also be mashed along with cloth.
their seeds and used to flavor cooked foods. Laying out

Hawthorn, Crataegus spp. (ROSACEAE)

HAWTHORN, Hawberry, Quickthorn, or Thornapple is
characterized by long thorns, wide spreading crowns,
and colorful fruits, which resemble crab apples or rose-
hips. Some species can grow beyond 40 ft. (12m) tall.
There are up to 200 hawthorn species worldwide. While
all North American varieties produce technically edible
fruits, most are not pleasant-tasting. Eastern Mayhaw
(C. aestivalis), Downy Hawthorn (C. mollis), Douglas
Thornapple (C. douglasi), and Apple Haw (C. opaca) are
noted for their palatable fruits.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: White flowers appear in April- River Corcoran Plant Image Library, CC BY-SA 2.0
June. Hawberries arrive in fall and can be 0.3-0.6 inches
flesh, while others are sweet and tender. They can
(0.7-1.5cm) across, with a rounded or bulb-like shape.
be eaten fresh, or added to jams and jellies. Be sure
Yellow, orange, and red berries are the most common
to avoid the plant’s sharp thorns and to remove the
color varieties.
fruit’s poisonous seeds.
LEAF: Leaves may be cut, lobed or entire, ranging from
HAWBERRY KETCHUP: Combine 2 cups hawber-
0.8 to 4 inches (2-10cm) long. Most leaves are dark green
ries, 1 cup water, and 1 cup vinegar. Bring to a boil,
and sharply toothed at the edges.
then simmer until fruits start to burst. Remove from
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit
heat. Strain out stones. Add ½ cup sugar to the juice.
KEY MEDICINAL USES: It is used to treat arteriosclero- Stir on low heat until dissolved. Bring to a boil and let
sis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. simmer for 10 min., allowing the liquid to reduce to a
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Hawberries ripen from thick syrup. Season with salt and pepper.
late summer to late autumn. Some have mealy, parched
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