We bought property recently and all along one side of it is covered in bushes.
I didn’t give much thought to them, and just assumed there were some sort of shrubbery. But a little while a go little berries started appearing. Again, I’ve never seen them before and thought they were ornamental or possibly poisonous.
Then my daughters started picking them and eating them. My dog was jumping up the lowest branches and mowing down on the berries. I quickly ran over and told them not to eat the berries because I didn’t know what they were.
My children advised me that they were Saskatoon berries and very yummy and very safe to eat. Apparently, their grandma had shown them and picked some with them already. I had no idea.
I’ve heard of Saskatoon berries but have never really seen them or given any thought to what they might look like. I grew up in Ontario and there are no Saskatoons there. I didn’t know they existed until I moved out west but for some reason always believed they were sour and just for the bears.
I was shocked to try one and find out they are very similar to blueberries. They are delicious. My children, and apparently my dog, love them.
I’ve learned recently they go by other names such as Juneberry or Serviceberry.
The bushes grow all over western and northern parts of Canada. They are hardy and can handle the winter conditions in the region.
The species is actually related to apples and mountain ash and not blueberries. Saskatoon Berries also defend against inflammatory illnesses and help reduce oxidative stress associated with aging. (If that doesn’t have you foraging for these berries, I don’t know what will.)
As I've discovered, Saskatoons are great to eat fresh but I’m hearing now they are also wonderful in jams and jellies and other baking. There are also recipes online for Saskatoon syrup and even wine!
I’m dying to try baking with them however with this heat lately, I’d rather not turn on my oven so I found a recipe from Shifting Roots for a no-bake cheese cake.
This is on my menu this week.
Ingredients
3 cups Saskatoon berries,
1/4 cup sugar,
2 tbsp lemon juice,
2 cups whipping cream,
16 oz cream cheese (2 bricks),
1/4 cup lemon juice,
1/2 cup sugar,
30 crushed graham crackers, approximately 2 cups,
1/2 cup melted butter,
2 tbsp sugar.
Instructions
1. Whip your whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese with 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup sugar. Add the whipping cream and whip until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, add three cups of Saskatoon berries, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 2 tbsp lemon juice and blend. Combine cream cheese and Saskatoon berry mixture.
4. Crush 30 graham crackers and mix with 1/2 cup butter and 2 tbsp sugar. Press into the bottom of a cheesecake pan.
5. Spread the cheesecake mixture and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
