Buffaloberry

[donna]

I receive stickers, labels and other things from the St Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D. because I send donations to them. They recently sent address labels with beautiful flowers and plants found on the South Dakota prairies which Native Americans used for food , and medicinal purposes.

One was the Buffaloberry. They were used raw, dried, as juice to drink and added to soups and stews. The berries could also replace chokecherries in Pemmican.

Pemmican is a Native American word roughly translated as "travel food made for long trips". A compact source of concentrated energy needing no preparation on the trail. Native American pemmican often included bear fat, berries and anything else that was nutritious and available.

See "Foods Indigenous to The Western Hemisphere", "Buffaloberry"

http://www.aihd.ku.edu/foods/buffaloberry.html

I am sure diane could tell us much more about this plant and its uses.

 

[donna]

The most popular use of buffaloberry was "Indian Ice Cream". Many Native American tribes in the north made this. dessert. It was made by beating hot water, buffaloberries, and sugar together by hand in a basket or other greased container.

Diane have you ever made this or had it?

 

[diane]

The most popular use of buffaloberry was "Indian Ice Cream". Many Native American tribes in the north made this. dessert. It was made by beating hot water, buffaloberries, and sugar together by hand in a basket or other greased container.

Diane have you ever made this or had it?

I haven't made this but I've had a pudding made from buffalo berries - it's far less sweet than most Americans would like it! Out here we use something similar - manzanita berries. They are medicinal - particularly good for rashes and hives - and we made a fermented juice of it called Indian kool-aid. The dried berries are pounded to powder then left in a bag for a while. It has a kick, no doubt about it!

 

[donna]

Bumping for Native American month. Just got cookbook from the St. Joseph Indian School. It is recipes for sweets, treats, cookies and more.

One of their favorites Wozapi, Fruit Pudding

2 cups chokecherries
1/3 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch

In saucepan mix berries, sugar and water. Bring to boil. Stir cornstarch in 1/4 cup water. Add cornstarch to berry mixture. Simmer for 2 minutes. When thick remove from heat. Let cool 5 minutes and enjoy on crackers or on fry bread.

 

[Pollaco]

I am curious where the Indians got the sugar from?

 

[donna]

American Indians been making sugar from maple syrup for many years. Early journals say from 1609. There are many Indian legends on process of making maple sugar.

So I guess that way they got sugar. They would have had wild honey too.

 

[TallTallMan]

American Indians been making sugar from maple syrup for many years. Early journals say from 1609. There are many Indian legends on process of making maple sugar.

So I guess that way they got sugar. They would have had wild honey too.

The "sweet sand" of the Colorado Cheyenne.