By Alicia Funk
The Living Wild Project
As you walk on the Bear Yuba Land Trust trails this month, keep an eye on the Douglas Fir. The tips turn bright green in color in the spring and contain a high amount of vitamin C, which gives them a lemon-like flavor. Enjoy as a truly local and seasonal soda or sorbet.
Wild Food Recipes
Douglas-Fir Soda
2 cups fresh Fir tips, chopped
1 tbsp local honey (if desired)
-Bring 4 cups water, 1 tbsp honey and 2 cups Fir tips to a boil.
-Turn off heat and let steep until cool.
-Strain out tips and add sparkling water or prepared ginger starter (see Living Wild for recipe).
Douglas-Fir Tip Sorbet (Vegan)
3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 quart fresh or frozen Douglas-Fir tips
-Bring water and sugar to a boil, stir, and turn off heat.
-Add Fir tips and steep covered for 30 minutes.
-Keep liquid and use a fine mesh strainer to remove tips.
-Chill overnight in refrigerator.
-Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions.
-Garnish sorbet with extra Fir tips and serve.
(Check with Treats, Nevada City, to see if they have this spring favorite ready to taste.)
Learn more about wild foods at Living Wild.