FoodNetArchive

Fruit recipes

1907

Page 64

Presented as published in 1907. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
or Physalis pubescens, and they are known, wild or culti- vated, all over the world, from the tropics of America and Asia northward, sometimes found in Scotland and other damp, cold latitudes. The Winter Cherry is excellent either in natural condition or ‘“‘put up,’’ and may be cooked by any method of which the general berry group is susceptible—with most satisfactory results to the palate. Also, this little ‘‘ Winter Cherry’’ is ‘‘good for the health,” being as cooling as its name. It acts wholesomely upon the kidneys and has been valued medicinally in other ways, as for gout and fevers. HACKBERRY AND HAWS The Nettle Tree, the Celtis, of the Nat. Ord. Ulmacee, (related to the elms) should be mentioned in the group of berries as its fruit, known in America as the Hackberry and Sugarberry, is edible and of most pleasing sweetness and aromatic flavour. It is at its best, like the persimmon, after frost. The Hawthorn or Crategus (of the Malacee)—known in varying forms over the world: as the White Thorn or English “May,” the Blackthorn, the Yellow or Summer Thorn—the Scarlet Haw; with yellow, orange, purple, or red fruit—is more useful than is generally known. The fruit varies in size and flavour, but there are a number of the haws which make a pleasing breakfast or dessert- fruit, being used this way in the south of Europe and the Levant, and also in the manufacture of hawthorn liquor, an intoxicant, and as the basis of cookery concoctions, as tarts, proving their delicious possibilities. (The Viburnum pruntjolium, of the Honeysuckle Family, related distantly to the elderberry, is sometimes called the black haw or sloe or stag-bush, though the two latter terms belong more A CLUSTER OF BERRIES 149 properly to the Prunus spinosa. It has not the pleasing qualities of the hawthorn “haws.” The Viburnum, how- ever, is considered very valuable medicinally, being a nervine and tonic.) THE SERVICE BERRY (Malacee) The Service or “Sarvice”’ Berry, is of interest in a peculiar way to Americans, in connection with the Mormons, who have for it a real affection since in their earlier days, when hardships and privations were continual, the Service Berry provided sometimes their entire food. Even when this ex- treme condition did not prevail the Service Berry constitu- ted a solid food value which Utah will not forget. The New International Dictionary gives perhaps the best and most concise description of what otherwise might be a confusing matter, so connected are various forms of the Service Berry or Service Tree. ‘Service Berry: A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica, and Pyrus torminalis, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American Shad-bush. They have clusters of small, edible, apple-like berries. In British America the name is especially applied to that of several species of the shad-bush.” ‘“‘Shad-Bush: (Bot.) A name given to the North American shrubs or small trees of the rosaceous genus Amelanchier (A. Canadensis , and A. Alnifolia). Their white racemose blossoms open in April or May when the shad appear and the edible ber- ries (pomes) ripen in June or July, whence they are called June Berries. The Plant is also called Service tree and June Berry.”’ Thus the connection is shown between the foreign Service Tree (of which the Sorb is a variety), the American Mountain Ash, Shad Bush, and Service Berries, and the romantic Scotch Rowan. The spotted fruit of the Sorb is improved by keeping, and in a mellowed 150 FRUIT RECIPES