A SHRUB FOR ALL SEASONS

The Shrub For All Seasons

Elder or Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub-like tree found both as a wild and cultivated plant, and can grow up to 30 feet tall. People have known of its usefulness since prehistoric times, Plinius and Hippocrates have included it in their writings as far back as the 5th century BC.

The elder has a rich background of cultural superstitions. In the Middle Ages legends held that it was the home to witches and that cutting down one would bring on the wrath of those residing in its branches.

The Russians and the English (?!) believe that elder trees ward off evil spirits and it was considered good luck to plant some near the house. Sicilians think that sticks of elder wood can kill serpents and drive away thieves.

This op is compiled of research on the net, personal research (yes, I try out things myself before I write about them!) and personal experience.

1) THE ELDER WEAPON

Let's begin at the beginning, the beginning of the season and the beginning of my life. It's a fact that little boys love weapons, the only difference between then and now is that due to the advancement of technology the weapons of today are more lethal than the ones in the olden times. When I was a girl, the boys used to cut off elder twigs, about 15cm long, took out the marrow so that they had a tube (I don't know how, I was always only on the side of the victims!), plucked the green hard berries and blew them forcefully through the tubes at the girls passing by. Not a nice sensation when you were hit!

2) FRITTERS "MARIANNE"

When the elders are in full bloom in spring, they emit a strong smell, especially when it's raining, go near, put your nose in and sniff, then try to transfer the smell into taste, now you know what the products made of the blossoms taste like. Marianne, my best friend's mother-in-law, says that for some reason (Which? She doesnt say!) the smell/taste always reminds her of a dead male hairdresser. ;-)

200 g flour (1 3/4 cups)
2 eggs
1/8 milk
small pinch salt
16 elderberry blossoms with stems
sugar for dusting
oil for frying

With a whisk, mix the flour, eggs, salt, and milk into a pancake batter. Rinse the elderberry blossoms several times, then pat dry with paper towel. Briefly dip the blossoms into the dough, and then deep fry until golden brown. Dust with sugar and serve. Don't eat the stem.

3) ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE

I have no personal experience of this, neither have

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