Serviceberry Sauce

Ever heard of Serviceberries?
Neither had I, until a friend recommended that we plant a couple serviceberry bushes in our back yard. They're gorgeous bushes with bouquets of white flowers in the spring and berries in June (They're also known as June Berries, Privets, and Saskatoon Berries).

The species we plant in our yard must be both beautiful and edible (by either animals or us). We assumed the prolific deep violet berries on this plant were simply bird food. Finally, in the third year after planting, my husband decided to try them, and WOW! Why hadn't we snacked on these blueberry-like fruit before?? They were delicious straight off the bush or in sauces or pies.

Try finding some of these berries on your next hike or pick some from a friend's yard to make this delicious sauce. If you can't find any in your neighborhood, blueberries will substitute nicely.




Serviceberry Dessert Sauce:
4 cups serviceberries (or blueberries)
1/2 cup sugar (or 1/3 c agave syrup)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Bring serviceberries, sugar (or agave) and water to a boil in saucepan. Simmer about 10-15 minutes, until reduced a bit. Add lemon juice. Dissolve 1 teaspoon arrow root powder in 1 Tablespoon water and add to berry sauce. Simmer until thickened, about a minute.

This is delicious served over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, cake, or even atop grilled salmon.
Enjoy the fruits of your yard!