The Foodie: Indie Berries

Huckleberries are similar to blueberries, and are characterized by a flavor that’s sweet, yet simultaneously tart. In the Northwest, Native Americans once used them for food, drink and dyes. Today, they’re a steadily growing industry in several states, including Montana. Shoppers there can find huckleberry preserves, candies, lotions, soap and more lining store shelves. In a way, huckleberries represent an industry that’s hard to replicate. They only grow in the wild; trying to transplant them or grow them commercially doesn’t work, and no one really knows why.

That means that if you want to sample these mountain berries, you’ll either have to pick them yourself or buy them. Those who want to forage for their treats should be prepared for plenty of competition—of both the human and animal variety. In Montana, eager “huckleberriers” start scouring the hillsides early. Black bears and grizzly bears also know when huckleberries are in season, and pursue the tasty treats as ambitiously as people do. The seasoned berry picker knows to make plenty of noise before heading into a berry patch to ensure no wildlife is around. This article from Montana Outdoors comes with a scrumptious recipe for huckleberry cobbler, once you’ve gathered your “purple gems.”

The chokecherry can be found across much of North America, but it bears particular significance in North Dakota, where it’s the official state fruit. In 2007, a group of students petitioned the state’s governor to give the chokecherry this honor. It wasn’t as easy as just asking the governor, though. The youngsters had to take their request to North Dakota’s legislature, where a vote was necessary to make the declaration official.

Once the chokecherry was declared the state fruit, the class who initiated the chokecherry project planned a festival to celebrate the berry. Get the kids’ thoughts on their work from Find Internet TV.

Elderberries “have something of a cult status with alternative-medicine types,” according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Europeans have used them for centuries to treat flu symptoms. Read one reporter’s memories of finding—and eating—these berries as a child. There’s also a recipe included for elderberry syrup.

This abundant fruit is a great source of vitamin C, but elderberries are most popular for their distinctive taste in pies, jams and jellies. Elderberry plants aren’t terribly difficult to grow, according to Cornell University, but keeping them under control may take a little more maintenance. Learn more about how and where you can grow elderberries from the university’s Department of Horticulture.

Buffalo berries have a long history, first gaining public notoriety when Lewis and Clark spotted them on their famous expedition. Native Americans also have a particularly intriguing legend involving these berries, which for one important figure, were incredibly difficult to obtain when he most wanted them.

For a “Native American inspired” breakfast, try this recipe for buffalo berry corn cakes from Group Recipes. You can substitute huckleberries or blueberries in this dish instead if you’d like to.