Tuesday, August 21, 2012

aronia

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My new favorite discovery is aronia. Aronia, you ask? I was intrigued by a basket of little black berries at last week's farmer's market. They are more often called chokeberries because eaten out of hand they're extremely astringent. In fact, they feel like a mouthful of sand. I tried them, trust me. However, once cooked or baked they supposedly take on the flavor of cherries... I was told by a local farmer. I couldn't resist, and brought two baskets. Untitled
I plucked them from their stems, covered them with water and cooked them until soft. 30 minutes or so. Then, I put them through a food mill. To this juice, I added several cups of cane sugar and let it come to a rolling boil. This gave me a lovely jar of deep, dark syrup that I brought over to the barn for our dinner party.  I also gathered a bottle of vodka and club soda thinking they might mix well together.

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When guests arrived with a bottle of champagne, out came the aronia syrup. Into a glass it went and was topped with bubbly. Oh my, was that tasty and gorgeous. It looked like a blazing sunset caught in a glass! Next came the vodka and soda, and with Rebecca's addition of fresh lemon juice and zest- an overnight sensation was born. I have no idea what to call this gorgeous rosy hued concoction, but it sure is delicious! Look for chokeberries at northeastern farmer's markets now while the season lasts. 
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8 comments:

  1. Yum! They also make a terrific jam - the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

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    1. I bet it's delicious! I'm hoping for more at this week's market.

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  2. Oh how lovely that looks... here's to trying something new. Cheers!

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  3. I have chokecherries planted near our house and I love to make syrup from them. Terrific on pancakes or waffles spread with sour cream first and then drizzle syrup over top. Your drink looks lovely!

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  4. I am having a few friends over this weekend, and I think your lovely drink is going to make an appearance, as well. I'm thinking of calling it Maya's Aronia Barn Swallow. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Thank you for this - I had no idea that a person could cook these into goodness. My childhood memory of 'choke' cherries was exactly the choke part!

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  6. Mmmm... that syrup was divine! We must have an evening JUST like that again soon!!!! xoxoxoxo

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  7. Wow...it looks delicious!
    Never tried it!
    ...and it seems you had lot of fun, too!!
    :)
    Ciao!
    Laura

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