Mulberries

[grrlscout]

I had no idea they even grew around here. Well, I guess many were planted, some 30 years ago. Some time since then, they made it law that they can't be sold in AZ or shipped here.

Anyway, a friend told me she had a tree, and asked if I'd like to pick from it. I took her up on that offer. The tree was huge! I would barely reach the lower branches, even on a 15' ladder. The berries were a bit small too:

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But now I could spot the tree, and see them all around. Most are inaccessible, either because they are too tall, or because they are on someone's property.

I did find an accessible white mulberry near work.

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And then I saw this:

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That sucker was dropping tons of fat, juicy berries.

The tree was at a law office, so I ducked inside and asked if they would mind if I picked from their tree. They had no problem with it. I returned the next day with a bucket, ladder, and gloves, and managed to get about 5 quarts of berries:

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There is certainly some cobbler on the agenda this weekend, maybe some jam too.

[Rick]

When I was a kid we used to have mulberry wars. Any over ripe mulberry was a viable candidate for use as ammo. The more overripe the better. You really had to develop a technique to launch an over ripe mulberry without it disintegrating in your hand. Those that weren't over ripe were eaten. They grow everywhere around here. Good haul!!!!

[1stimestar]

Yes I remember lots of Mulberries from my time in the south.

[cbr6fs]

Great find, great haul.

What plans do you have for them, eat as is or a nice pie?

[crashdive123]

Ahhhh. Mulberry wars. I remember them well. Precursor to paint balls I think.

[Winnie]

Mulberry Jam, that takes me back.

[your_comforting_company]

My mulberry tree is apparently a male, so I am strongly considering replacing it with Asimina triloba. I know one or two people with mulberry trees. They aren't quite in season here yet, but since I have lots of tarps, I'll be trying to get permission to harvest some (spread tarps on ground, climb and shake tree). It's something of a unicorn to find a bearing mulberry around here anymore, but the ones I do know about are DELICIOUS!

The books I have indicate that unripe red mullberries cause hallucinations. I've not eaten one because I like to be in my own insane mind well enough to have no desire to experiment with craziness like that, so just a word or warning.

Can't wait to see how the jam turns out. Please share your recipes when you get time!

[grrlscout]

I ended up making a cobbler, with 6 cups of them.

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I started with this recipe:
http://rachelstinyfarm.blogspot.com/...y-cobbler.html

But instead of the water, I just used more lemon juice - about 1/4 up total. I also subbed in mesquite flour for 1/4 of the AP flour, and skipped the cinnamon.

I also made a creme anglais to go with. Recipe from America's Test Kitchen.

The rest, about 5 quarts worth, went into the freezer. I'll probably end up making popsicles with them. I think mulberry-chamomile-honey would be nice.

[cbr6fs]

That looks delicious.

Just had me dinner but after seeing that i'm hungry again



Cheers
Mark

[Rick]

That does look pretty darn good!

[Old GI]

Ahhhh. Mulberry wars. I remember them well. Precursor to paint balls I think.

Hey crash: Are you sure your not thinking about Mulberry Harbors from your WWII naval service?

[crashdive123]

Hey crash: Are you sure your not thinking about Mulberry Harbors from your WWII naval service?

Don't be silly. I was on Submarines, not Targets.

[Rick]

WWII service. (snicker)

[oldtrap59]

We have 3 mulberry trees right in back of the house. All 3 are rather small trees. Haven't been there to long I would guess. Asked the old owner and he said this was the first year that they had fruited. Right now the birds are wining the battle for the berries.

Oldtrap

PS The cobbler looks great GS!!

[Rick]

Quick kids, cover the car!!!!! Don't hang those sheets out just yet, maw.

[oldtrap59]

Ha ha Rick. I parked the truck under cover tonight. I remember Dad having some long talks over the years with the local birds after they raided the neighborhood mulberry trees. If my memory serves they used to leave some really tough stains on his pickup which always was parked outside. :>)

Oldtrap

[Rick]

Mom had a long clothesline when I was a kid and every time she hung sheets out some bird spotted one. Mom didn't cuss but that's about the closest she ever came to not cussing that I know of.

[bob kk]

We had a tree that is until they put a new sewer line in. Remember when I was young about seven dad got a lot of squirrels out of mulberry trees. Only one I know of that is close by a man used it to hang himself.

[grrlscout]

In case you were wondering, I made popsicles with the rest:

Mulberry-Honey-Yogurt-Lavender

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[Rick]

That, young lady, is just plain crazy. Way cool though and it sounds yummy.