When Raspberries Begin Turning Pink - Go Pick Saskatoons!

That is the way to remember when to search out these gems.

Last year it was too dry for a good picking of saskatoons, this year with all of the rain they are huge, like blueberries.

DS and I stopped along the side of a rural road and picked an ice-cream pailful today, we plan to pick more tomorrow. I'm trading driving lessons with him for his help picking. Dual purpose for our gas usage!

After a quick picking through and a wash they were popped into the freezer to await their future as muffins and pancake sauce.



One funny ... I was trying to find out if drying saskatoons is viable. Are they too seedy or are they just right for a late winter addition to my morning granola?

Googling this lead to wonderful gems such as, "Drying Characteristics of Saskatoon Berries under Microwave and Combined Microwave-Convection Heating" not to mention, "Chemical Composition of Saskatoon Berries (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.)" and let's not forget , "it is clear that the saskatoon berry exhibits antioxidant activity based on its anthrocyanin and phenolic composition..."

Whoa People!!! All I wanted was a simple answer to a basic question. Is it worthwhile to dry saskatoons????

The best answer? ... Well the 'O Gourmet' website tells us, "The Saskatoon berry was of significant economic importance to the Plains Indians who would sun-dry the fruit. The berry was an important ingredient in pemmican" and we all know what a hot seller pemmican is down at 7-11!

I even phoned a saskatoon loving local locavore to ask the now nagging question in search of the elusive answer and her reply... never tried it! A.R.G. is all I can say.

I now have a cup of saskatoons in my fruit dryer, I will be posting the answer to the question.... maybe Google can get a life then ;o) [or at least let people know yea or nay without having to read doctoral theses!]

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Edited to add:

I think I dried them too long. Little pebbles. And they are seedy. Hmmmm. I'll have to try again next year and see if this can be done well.