Hello,The elderberries are ripe in my area,and I wanted to pick them. My concern is the fact that they are mostly growing near a st.rt. and also an interstate.Are they going to be "full of lead"?I seem to recall reading somewhere that lead concentrates in soil rather than leaching away.Is this accurate?Also,I was wondering if anyone has any good elderberry recipes they are willing to share.I particularly need a jelly recipe since I can't find the only book I have that lists one(Putting Food By).Thanks a bunch, God Bless,~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 10, 2000

Answers

There was a thread on elderberries a several weeks ago. If you make elderberry jelly with wild grapes, it's supposed to really good. Elderberry jelly isn't the greatest. I used the grape jelly recipe. Also I'm glad you asked about the lead, I'm curious about that and do farmer's chemical effect berries growing nearby.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), August 10, 2000.

The concern about roadside foraging was lead from gasoline exhausts. However, the U.S. has pretty well switch completely to unleaded gasolines. I don't know if plants will take up residual lead in soil, but it would be in extremely small amounts if it did. When farmers spray it is usually a fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide. The first will only make the plants grow faster, the last will try to kill it and pesticides - well, you are going to have to make your own judgement. Perhaps you can find a patch somewhere away from roads and crop fields?

-- Ken S. (scharabo@aol.com), August 10, 2000.

Thanks Cindy! Thanks Ken! The only thread I found was for Elderberry syrup.Still looking for recipes... God Bless,~~Tracy~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 10, 2000.

My first piece of advice is to make a small batch of jam because not many people will want to eat it ..... maybe if you mix it with blackberries. We had one guy here make a syrup for when we had colds in the winter. To make jam I think we boiled the berries (no water , they have enough that if you start out slow they won't burn), filter the berries through a cloth, don't squish 'em through because it will be even more bitter (and maybe slightly poisonous??). With this water make jelly as you would with any juice ... add a few apples so it will gelify(is that a word??)better.

-- kelly (kellytree@hotmail.com), August 10, 2000.

The lead in gas is gone, but there are other nasties now in it. When the day comes that you can stand breathing what comes out of a cars exhaust that is day I would eat what is grown near heavy traffic area.

I did wonder what one could do with elderberries too. I've heard of elderberry jam and elderberry wine. I've eaten a few ripe bunches, but they are tasteless to slightly unpleasant depending on bush you pick them off of. I figured they were an "extender" used in lean times, like the recipie I found once for watermelon rind jam. It was edible, but not a favorite.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), August 11, 2000.

Tracy, Elderberry jelly is very good - I don't think you would want jam because of all the seeds. I know several people who prefer it to grape. Elderberry is not poisonous. Just use something like sure jell. To facilitate getting the berries off the stems - use a fork! I know my post is late but maybe you can remember it for next year.

-- carolyn (carolyn2u2000@yahoo.com), October 30, 2001.

I'm reading this and wondering if you are talking about black (domestic) elderberries, or red (wild) elderberries. It has been my understanding for years that the red/wild ones are poisonous. (they're also long gone around here, but that may not be so for other people in other places). All I know is that the local birds and rodents avoid the red ones and eat the black ones.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), October 30, 2001.

Julie, here in Michigan the wild ones are black and grow all along the ditches and marshes. They make a WONDERFUL jelly.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), October 30, 2001.

I too would be leary of roadside picking, not only has lead been concentrated there, as mentioned by others, there is also many other toxic effects of car exhaust, as mentioned by hermitjohn, that should be avoided in the food chain. In my province elderberries come in three colours, black, blue, and red. The black, and blue ones are the more favoured, but are best cooked. The red ones were said to be poisonous in a few older books, and every later book copied the mis- information. It was common to believe that most red berries were poisonous. They are not particularly palatable, and have a cyanide concentration in the seed. Red elders make good jellies, and jelly pies, you should strain the seeds (hence the jelly, not jams). I don't have my books with me as I am at my sister's house, but if you still can't find recipes e-mail me. the elder blossoms are good battered and fried, or used for tea(dry in a dark, cool place when all the flowers appear open in a cluster.

-- roberto pokachin in B.C. (pokachinni@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

i have been admiring and picking elderberries since childhood, and finally got one to grow in my yard, thanks to the birds, if you know what i mean.. they make excellent jelly, and i am going to try a pie this year.. the bush is beautiful.. both in flower and berry. i think i will also try some wine this year too, like my uncle bob used to make... please everyone try some, they are truly a nature gift, in all ways

-- jude' schontube (judelou123@yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

Elderflower syrup is very good and can be used as a mixer or just diluted with water. Elderberry syrup is reputed to be a good remedy for colds and flu. They both make excellent wine, with Elderflower retaining its delicate aroma and taste. Elderberries make a delicious addition to apples in pies and jams, not too many or the taste would be overwhelming. Both the berries and flowers can be frozen for use at any time.

-- David V. Orloff (david.orloff@ntlworld.com), May 05, 2002.