Sometimes they are just around the corner. Linden flowers opened in Brooklyn just a few days ago, and their perfumed blooming coincides with peak serviceberry season. These flowers will be fermented in two stages, eventually becoming a fragrant vinegar.
This particular batch of serviceberries (Juneberries, saskatoon) is from trees growing near the polluted Gowanus Canal and the fruit tastes better than any I have ever eaten: intense and very sweet. Go figure. With polluted soils it's the fruit that are deemed the safest to eat, as they absorb very little - at least that is my understanding from the papers I have read. Roots, stems, leaves are anther story. It's almost a shame to do anything to these berries - they are best fresh. There are many trees, all over the city. Look up. Then stay a while, grazing.
We will encounter serviceberries and much more on this Saturday's Brooklyn Shoreline walk. Visit the link to book.
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There are a few linden trees in bloom by me. I love the scent! I’m curious to know how you will process them and how you’ll use the vinegar. Do tell!
ReplyDeleteThere is also a service tree in the yard behind my house but it’s too tall to reach. The robins will be happy to feast on them :)