Author: Lily Mazzarella
Elderberries have demonstrated activity against the influenza virus….and we couldn’t be more pleased about it. These delicious berries lend themselves to a tasty syrup that is easy to make and forms the base of kid (and adult) approved protein-rich Elderberry Gummies.
Note: These gummy treats are equally delicious and medicinal with Elderflower syrup or honey. Elderflowers can be wilted on a sheet (after shaking the small, white/elderflower-colored spiders out of them) and then packed into a jar with local raw honey. After a few weeks in a sunny spot, strain the honey and voila, aromatic elderflower honey!
To make the elderberry syrup:
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cup local raw honey
Optional:
- 1 inch raw ginger, peeled and sliced
- ½ cinnamon stick
Place the elderberries (and other herbs, if using) in pot and cover with the water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer over low heat until the liquid has been reduced by almost half. Strain the elderberries, and once the liquid remaining has cooled, mix with local honey (you don’t want to heat raw honey, as it kills active enzymes which add medicinal value). Keep finished syrup refrigerated or use in gummies.
Good sources for elderberries: online: Mountain Rose Herbs or local: Rosemary’s Garden.
For the gummies:
Silicone molds (or glass pyrex baking dish)
1 cup Elderberry Syrup
¼ cup grass-fed gelatin powder
½ cup water that is hot to the touch (not boiling)
Whisk ¼ cup elderberry syrup with ¼ cup gelatin powder. Don’t stop! Gelatin clumps easily.
Then add the ½ cup hot water to the elderberry/gelatin mixture and whisk until smooth.
Pour into silicone molds or pyrex dish and refrigerate until firm.
If using silicone molds, simply pop the gummies out and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
If using a pyrex glass dish, cut the gel into squares and store in a container in the fridge.