Serviceberry Sauce Recipe

What is a Serviceberry?

It is the fruit of a small, native tree the Amelanchier canadensis, which grows wild from Maine to the Carolinas. It is also called Saskatoonberry, Juneberry, Shadberry, Shadbush, and many other names. Serviceberry is being used extensively now in native landscaping so you can find small groves it in many public areas. (As with all fruit gleaning, please be sure to get the property owners permission before picking any.)

   It is similar to a blueberry in size and flavor, but is much sweeter and has a small, edible seed inside each berry. The seed is reminiscent of an almond in flavor.

   The season to pick the berries is late May to mid June. They do not have to be fully blue to be ripe, so pick them when they are any shade from burgundy to purple. Do so quickly before the birds do so and before any signs of rust (orange powder) appear on the fruit, which happens in our area's high heat and humidity. 

   You can adapt most any blueberry recipe and substitute in serviceberry -- just drastically drop the amount of sugar or leave it out entirely.*

*Yes, that is right, NO sugar or sweeteners needed!

Use this Serviceberry Sauce by adding it to:

- yogurt

- vanilla ice cream

- cheesecake

- poundcake

- angel food cake

- graham crackers

- toast

- oatmeal

- pancakes

- waffles

- turkey

- pork

- tilapia

- any more suggestions?

Serviceberry Sauce Recipe
3 tbsp. cornstarch

1 cup water
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 quart fresh or frozen Serviceberries

Cook and stir constantly over medium heat until thickened.

You can add in 3 tbsp. of Grand Marnier, if desired.

Serve warm or cool. Can it in small jars or freeze for use later.

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