It’s harvesting time in Romania for
blueberries, dark blue fruits of a small shrub with a height of 30 … 50 cm,
which we can be found in shady areas, in forests. Compared to cultivated
blueberries, the wild ones are slightly smaller, with an average diameter of
half a cm, which makes them difficult to harvest. The inhabitants of the
Carpathians use a so-called comb, in fact a wooden or metal box similar to a
scythe, provided with a comb that holds the blueberries inside, without
destroying the bush. Blueberries contain, among other things, tannin and
vitamin C, being recommended for those with diabetes, but also for those with
intestinal problems due to their antibacterial properties.
Blueberries
can be eaten fresh, but also turned into jam, juice or ‘afinata’ an alcoholic
sweet beverage prepared especially in Bucovina and Transylvania and appreciated
by tourists visiting these provinces. To prepare this beverage we need 2 kg of
blueberries, one kg of sugar and a big jug in which to put blueberries and
sugar. The jug is left to sit for a few days, after which it has to be stirred
so that the sugar mixes and dissolves in the juice left by the blueberries. The
operation must be repeated every two … three days, but the jug must not be
closed because a process of fruit fermentation takes place inside. After about
two weeks, refined food alcohol is poured over the blueberries, which are now
covered with juice, and the jug must be closed tightly this time and stored in
a cool, dark place. ‘Afinata’ is recommended for those with stomach or
intestinal disorders, but should be consumed in moderation. A similar drink can
be obtained by replacing blueberries with strawberries, in fact wild strawberries,
also found in mountainous areas, but on sunny surfaces, at the edge of the
forest.
After
consuming the drink, the fruit left in the jug can be used for muffins. To bake
muffins we need a quarter of a
kilo of flour, two eggs, 100 grams of butter and a glass of milk or 400 grams
of cream, 50 grams of sugar, the equivalent of 8 tablespoons, 5 grams of baking
powder, a pinch of baking soda, vanilla essence. Break the eggs and mix them
with the sugar and butter in a bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda
and vanilla essence and mix to obtain a dough slightly thicker than that for
pancakes. Add the blueberries, mix gently and then put a muffin tin and leave
for 20 minutes in the oven over medium heat, ie at 180 degrees Celsius.
Blueberries
can also be used to make juice and syrup. For blueberry syrup, we need one kg
of blueberries and two kg of sugar. Wash the blueberries, mash them and mix the
juice with sugar, in a bowl. Keep it on low heat until the sugar melts. When it
starts to boil, leave the syrup to cook for another half an hour and add a
little bit of lemon juice. Then pour the syrup into bottles and cover them
well. Let them cool slowly. Mix the syrup with plain or mineral water.
Blueberries
are also perfect to make jam. the preparation method being similar to those of
other fruits. The jam can be used as a pancake filling or on top of other
cakes, such as the traditional ‘papanasi’. Enjoy!