Elderflower Fritters
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The tiny elderberry blossoms grow in flat lacy clumps, or "corymbs."
Most people drive by roadside clumps of wild American Black Elderberry bushes every day without realizing what they’re missing. Sambucus Canadensis grows wild in the hedgerows and gullies of Eastern America, and is an absolutely amazing plant. In the early summer, it’s blossoms can be harvested for making deliciously delicate simple syrups and cordials. In late summer, the lacy bunches of tiny blue-black berries can be used in pies, jellies, and wines.
Beyond simply being delicious, the berry extracts are also medicinal – having been shown in studies to reduce the recovery time of Influenza B.
European lore claims that cutting the elder wood releases the wicked spirit of the Elder Mother. Elderwood is used in all sorts of witchcraft stories, and is historically the material out of which “magic wands” are crafted. Burning the wood is considered quite risky, as superstition says it might be followed by the death of a loved one.
Elderberry bushes are terribly easy to grow. They seem to pop up wherever bird droppings containing seeds land. But even though they are found near many roadside ditches, it’s not because they like their feet wet, it’s because they like the constant even flow of water the ditches edges provide. Chances are you can convince a farm neighbor to let you dig some up to replant, but if not, you can purchase some here.
Our most impressive elderberry bush grows in the least impressive place. Between the silo foundation and the barn.
We don’t seem to have too many wicked spirits around the Beekman but we do have several outcroppings of Elderberry bushes. The most prominent one squeezes out from between the base of the old silo foundation and the barn. Because the birds seem to get the berries long before we have a chance, this year we decided to harvest the blossoms instead, to make an old European favorite: Elderflower Fritters.
The beautiful lacy stems of the elderflowers are still visible after frying.
This is a fairly simple recipe, but for good reason. The flavor and fragrance of the elderflower is quite mild, so the fritter batter is very lightly seasoned. For added sweetness, we drizzle a little clover honey over the fritters before serving them as part of a weekend morning brunch on the Beekman porch.
The stamens of the tiny flowers form pretty little brown dots in the fritters.
ELDERFLOWER FRITTERS
Five large elderflower bunches
1.25 cup of flour
2 small eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup of very cold seltzer water
3 T of Cointreau or other flavored liqueur
Clover honey or confectionary sugar for drizzling/dusting.
Light canola oil for frying.
Cut the elderflower clumps into florets. Not too small. About the circumference of the top of a tin can.
Fill heavy pot with about 2 inches of oil. Heat to 350F.
Sift flour into a small bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs. Stir until just combined. Add in liqueur, stir. Pour in seltzer water slowly, while mixing with wooden spoon. The fritter batter should be the consistency of a very thin pancake batter, or like double cream.
Once oil is heated, dredge an elderflower floret through the batter, covering thoroughly. The delicate flowers will seem to clump together in one messy blob. Don’t worry. As you drop the battered flowers into the oil, they will pop and separate again, resembling their original form. It’s important for the oil to be the correct temperature, or they will not separate. Fry in small batches, adding the fritters to the oil one by one, being careful not to crowd.
Fry the fritters for about one minute before turning over. Fry the other side for another minute or until golden brown. Remove from oil, and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Drizzle with honey, or dust with powdered sugar. Serve hot.
A plate of Elderflower Fritters, drizzled with honey on a bed of elderflowers and leaves.
Every spring, my Austrian grandmother gathered the blossoms to make these delicious treats. She also made elderberry wine for the grownups. This brings back wonderful memories.
Jo-Ellen
This is a reply for Lyna. Elderberries do grow in Southern California. The species is different than the eastern varieties. They are talking about sambucus canadensis which requires more cold than we have in Southern California. We have sambucus caerulea which is growing wild throughout Southern California. It can be used in exactly the same way. The flowers of s. caerulea are edible, but stay away from the unripe fruit as they contain hydrocyanic acid and sambucine which can cause nausea. I hope this helps.
If you like elderflower, you have to try St. Germain Elderflower liqueur it is made with fresh wild elderflowers.
Bob is correct.
The harmful effects are the "seeds" of the berry. That is why you never find seeds in any jellies or jams. The seeds contain cyanide properties. Cyanide… google it.
The very best Christmas gift I've ever received was an elderberry pie that my Mom and sister made in Cooperstown, NY then had FedEx deliver it the next day in FL. I love elderberry juice, jam, pie and chutney. I've never had anything made with the elderflower.
Randy Herrington is wrong. The leaves, stems, roots, & unripe berries etc. contain harmful alkaloids that can cause poisoning. Only ripe berries are safe, and even then, cooking is recommended.
To the best of my knowledge, NO parts of the sambucus plant are harmful.
These are great! I grew up with elderberry fritters, my mom is german jewish and I can remember my oma ( grandmother) making these for us. Love your website and your show! Keep it up!
M grandmother made wine out of either the flowers, berries or SOME part of the plant. Never watched her, nore's the pity. She would only dole out a little bit to a person, as it would cause you to fall to the ground!!! Country schnapps!!!! Good Nanny!
I am so excited to see a recipe using Elderberry Flowers! I love the drink made with the Elderberry Flowers I've had when in Scandinavia. Do you know if these bushes can be grown in Southern California?
I tasted these and they were quite yummy, even cold!
We have two large "black lace" elderberry bushes. Dark purple leaves with beautiful pink flowers. I'm looking forward to the berries!
Great recipe ideas.
Very interesting information! But it leaves me wondering…is Elderberry similar to otherplants that may be poisonous or otherwise non-edible? If so, what should I look out for when attempting to gather Elderberry?
What an interesting idea. Never thought of doing that. Just make sure to leave some flowers for actual berries. Elderberry pie is one of my favorites (although to make is a pain having to remove all the little stems) and elderberry jelly is num-licious. The berries have a darker flavor similar to Acai but with less chocolate notes, and they grow like weeds. Nothing could be easier.
Elderberries/elderflowers are a forgotten treat and I'm glad you're bringing them up. I think a little St. Germain Elderflower liquor should be somewhere in the mix of your next party!