The power of the "Dirndl"
The cornel cherries are ripe
The delicious and almost forgotten cornelian cherries have a special power. Why the healthy superfruits now belong on the menu and how they taste best is what we would like to reveal in today's article.
In september the cornel cherries are ripe.
Superfood full of vitamins and minerals.
Finally it is here: the harvest time of the cornelian cherries! Since summer, the fruit trees have been diligently bearing their fruit: cherries, apricots and plums are harvested to enjoy fresh or to make delicious jams and compotes. The red fruits of the Cornelian cherry (bot. Cornaceae) do not ripen until September. In botanical systematics, the dirndl bush, as it is called here, belongs to the dogwood family. It is also called Herlitze, Dürlitze or Kornelle and feels particularly at home in sunny to semi-shady places with calcareous soils.
This is how the ripe fruits present themselves on the bush.
A welcome change from everyday kitchen life :-)
Already at the end of February to the beginning of March, the blossoms of our two dirndl bushes in the MalisGarten open. Especially the bees that live in the hives in the neighbouring parish garden are happy about the first nectar of the herlitzen after the winter months. The result of successful pollination shows up in early autumn in the form of elongated, deep red berries.
In order to enjoy the delicious autumn fruits, the Dirndln should only be harvested when their flesh around the large seeds is soft and deep red in colour. The taste is still somewhat sour, which is noticeable in a slightly astringent effect on the palate, but at the same time very refreshing.
The little red wonders of nature contain fruit acids, vitamins C, B and E, minerals and cell-protecting flavonoids. But it is not only the fruits that offer numerous positive effects. Due to the high content of tannins and pectins, they are used to stabilise the stomach and digestion. Folk medicine around Hildegard von Bingen recommends beneficial baths made from bark, wood and leaves for gout.
Fresh Dirndl jelly tastes simply delicious!
According to legend, the Trojan horse was made from the wood of the cornelian cherry. It is so hard and heavy that it does not float on water, but sinks. That is why walking sticks were also made from the hardwood.
The branches of the cornelian cherry are considered lucky and are said to give fertility. Warm bags filled with the seeds of the cornelian cherry provide well-being and have a calming effect on body and soul.
Even in ancient Babylon it was believed that the magical cornelian cherry could speed up birth with a certain ritual. The cornelian cherry is able to bring old conflicts to the surface and dissolve them, so that one feels like being born anew.
The preparation requires a little patience.
...but the result is worth it in any case!
Cornelian cherry jelly is one of our absolute favourites. We love it as a spread or serve it with cheese.
Ingredients:
- 1300 g ripe cornelian cherries
- 150 ml apple juice
- 500 g organic jam sugar (3:1)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Bourbon vanilla
Preparation:
Wash the dirndls and cook them with the cinnamon stick and vanilla pulp in a saucepan over a low heat until soft. Remove the cinnamon stick and pass the mixture through a sieve. Cook with the preserving sugar and then pour into hot, sterilised jars.
We wish you much joy and pleasure!
Christina Binder-Egger
Even in childhood, Christina Binder-Egger was out and about in nature with her Aunt Lisi. Early on, she learned about the local herbs, fruits, and mushrooms from her and fell in love with them. Christina is a trained herb instructor. Her knowledge forms the basis for Malis’ herb concept.