An 'Olive' for the North.

14 years ago

OK, those of you (such as NAFEX members) who are really into the unusual, has anyone ever heard of doing this with the fruit of Northern Fringetree?

From the OIKOS Tree Crops website:

"One of the best native North American ornamental shrubs with a flower display like falling snow. The dark blue fruits produced in long clusters add to its ornamental appeal in the fall and are eaten by birds. Make your own olives. Not quite but in the same family as "true" olives and were pickled by early settlers. In the raw state, the fruits taste like bitter rhubarb and gym socks. Wow. I will never do that again. Adaptable to sun or light shade in a variety of soils but is found growing wild along streams. Height varies from 4-8 ft. with equal spread. Have seen 15 ft. specimens. Hardiness -30 Â°F."

Sounds interesting, doesn't it?

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Comments (3)

nick_b79
14 years ago
Mmmm, with a flavor endorsement like that, how can I say no? :-)
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
14 years ago
OK! Here we go! ALL olives taste terrible fresh off the tree which is why they need to be cured in salt brine. The "curing" process takes some time, but is very easy, and we get rave reviews on our olives. Just destem them, wash them, toss the bird pecked and bruised olives, and soak them in water so salty a fresh egg will float in it. Change the water every couple days for a week or so, then change it weekly. Keep in a dark closet covered to keep out bacteria bearing air (I float water filled baggies on top and put a plate over that). After a couple months, taste one, and if it tastes good, add some garlic, lemon/orange, hot peppers, and red wine vinegar, and let them chill in that for a while. Jar em up, and top with 1/4" of olive oil (to keep the air out), and you are good to go..
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Embothrium
14 years ago
Facciola, CORNUCOPIA II - A SOURCE BOOK OF EDIBLE PLANTS (Kampong) says only that "The fruits are said to be pickled like olives". Many other kinds of edible plants he gives regional names for various preparation methods etc. If "said to be pickled" is all he came up with for this one, well...