A Red Hook stroll on this last Saturday of February 2016. And a happy encounter with an eastern North American juniper, Juniperus virginiana - commonly known as eastern red cedar. The fruit is sweet and seedy, with a distinct hit of gin.
Back home: Store-bought juniper berries on the left, eastern red cedar berries on the right.
I have plans for them. A Remodelista Market is coming up, in March, and I have been asked to make two special cocktails for the pre-market party...
Happy February forager...
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It may be the last Saturday of February, but the last day is Monday February 29. Feel free to delete. *grin*
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah! Fixed.
DeleteWhen I was growing up on Long Island, there were bushes like that in the neighborhood. I did not know that they were edible!
ReplyDeleteEastern red cedars are considered nuisance plants where I live. Hope to read what you do with the berries.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the post about the cocktails and never thought of putting these berries to such good use.
ReplyDelete