How to Make Elderflower Fritters

Old-fashioned cordials, medicinal teas and skin-softening cremes are just a few ways the fragrant flowers of elder (Sambucus nigra; Sambucus canadensis) have been used over the centuries. Elderflowers also make delicious fritters, which I've always wanted to try even though I don't typically like fried foods.

So, I did a little research and read recipes from The London Times and Good Food Channel. Here's my adaptation of those recipes, based on ingredients that were available in my kitchen at the time. We ate ours right before the June full moon, lunar eclipse, and can't wait to make another batch.

Elderflower Fritters Ingredients

1 egg

1 cup flour

1 cup organic milk

5 huge heads of elderflower

3 tablespoon of ultrafine baker's sugar

1 tablespoon of Cointreau (optional)

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

Cooking oil

Directions: Pick elderflowers from Sambucus nigra or Sambucus canadensis, which have not been sprayed with pesticides. These flowers came from my backyard tree, which was started from another native tree found an hour from here.

Many recipes recommend you don't wash the flowers, because you'll wash off the pollen that gives the fritters their flavor. So, pick carefully, watch for little critters, shake well and then store in the fridge until you're ready to use. If you can't bear the thought of not washing the flowers, do it gently and then drain in a strainer.

Whisk together ingredients (except the cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of sugar) into a bowl. Let batter sit for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, clip flowers into smaller florets but leave some of the stems.

Fry elderflowers like pancakes, using a spatula. Push flower gently down into the oil until it is golden brown and then flip. Drain cooked flowers on paper towels.

Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dust tops of the cooked fritters with the cinnamon-sugar. Then sprinkle with some flowers and serve warm with frozen yogurt, fruit or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy the pleasures of summer, and tell yourself you can always visit the gym tomorrow...

More about elder folklore, health benefits and recipes.

Respect Your Elders

 

It's true that elder (Sambucus nigra; Sambucus canadensis) grows wild in moist places through much of the United States. But to call this plant "common" is just unfair.  

Few plants have generated as much respect as elder over the ages. In fact, once I learned about this plant, I was hooked and just had to have one in my garden.  Consider these cool facts:

Elder is Healthy: Hippocrates considered his elder tree a "medicine chest" in 400 B.C.E.  From cold remedies to stomach tonics, the white flowers and blue-black berries on this shrub and small tree have been used in everything from teas and syrups to skin creams.  

America Botanical Council provides a summary of elder nutritional information and scientific studies.  Note: Always cook berries before eating them. Never eat red berries from S. racemosa.

"Water of elder flowers 
for a pure complexion and against insect biting. 

Take the flowers off the stalks 
and pack them down hard in your pan, 

and then pour on enough boiling water to cover them: 

cover your pan with a cloth and so let it stand a day and a night, 
and then strain it."

Mrs. Harrington's Book, 18th Century

 Elderberry Syrup

 Bring to boil 1/2 cup dried (or 1 cup fresh) berries 
with 3 cups water.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes covered.

Smash berries to release flavor and then strain.

Add 1 cup of honey and stir well.

Will keep for a couple months in refrigerator.

Take a tablespoon 3 times a day for colds and fevers.

Elder is Magical:  Throughout history, an elder tree was considered good luck. Leaves and flowers were gathered at Midsummer to decorate the home and keep away evil spirits. But it was bad luck to use elder wood for any purpose. Children raised in elder wood cradles, for instance, were believed to grow sick and die. And, for goodness sake, never burn even the smallest amount of elder wood in your fire. That was a sure way to attract the devil or witches.  

Here's a fairytale written by Hans Christian Anderson called "The Little Elder-Tree Mother." (1845) 

Elder is Loved by Animals:  If that wasn't enough, this member of the honeysuckle family attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators. They simply love the sweet white flowers. You'll find birds of all types like to eat the berries too.  

Learn more about growing elders from the eXtension news.