19 July 2008

Saskatoon Berry Pie

Saskatoon Berry Pie
Finally after a week of celebration there is actually something brewing in my kitchen. It has lay dormant and too easily forgotten in the past week of visiting wineries, fine restaurants and beaches. In my travels yesterday I visited one of the myriad of fruit stands along the valley corridors and came away with some Saskatoon berries.

The saskatoon is a fruit bearing shrub that is native to the southern Yukon and Northwest Territories, the Canadian prairies and the northern plains of the United States .It is extremely adaptable and grows under a wide range of environmental conditions. It is sometimes known as the serviceberry in the States.



Saskatoon Berries, often referred to as Saskatoons are purplish-blue berries that grow on a shrub type bush. They look similar to blueberries but have a unique flavour that is excellent in preserves and pies. It takes 4 years for a bush to develop fruit.

Saskatoon berries were originally used as a major food source by the native people and early settlers of the North American prairies and, until recently, could be picked only in the wild. Enterprising farmers have begun to grow these low and easily maintained bushes as cultivars so it is possible in this day and age to "pick your own".

For my first project with Saskatoons I decided upon a pie. When I was living in Alberta I had my first taste of this delicacy and used to make Saskatoon Berry Jam to send to all my family members in Ontario. If you have no access to Saskatoons blueberries will work almost as well.

**Saskatoon Berry Pie**

Pie Filling:

3 -1/2 cups Saskatoon Berries
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Streusel:

3/4 cup chopped toasted hickory nuts or walnuts*
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into 1/4-inch thick pieces
Also: whipped cream lightly sweetened with maple syrup (optional)

Pie Filling: Cook berries in water until boiling. Reduce water if using frozen berries. Add mixed cornstarch and sugar and boil until clear, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, butter and almond extract. Cool. Use as a filling for single or double crust pie, tarts, or on a cheesecake.

Streusel: Combine nuts, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add butter and, using your fingertips, rub butter into dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Refrigerate until needed.

Pour filling into pastry lined pie plate. Top with streusel. Bake in 425F oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350F oven and bake 35-45 minutes longer or until golden brown.

NOTE: Hickory nuts are sometimes found at farmers markets; if they’re unavailable use walnuts. Toast nuts at 350 degrees until slightly golden, 6-8 minutes.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
Best Blogger Tips

36 comments:

  1. I think I would like to try a Saskatoon. They sound like a fruit I might like.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 19, 2008

    I've never heard of saskatoons! I guess I'll have to come visit you someday to get to taste them! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. How interesting learning about different fruits and vegetables from other countries...saskatoons sound really interesting and I love that pie with the streusel.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 19, 2008

    YUM!
    Sorry I have been scarce, Valli! I am on a hamster wheel this summer...
    I love hickory nuts..they don;t grow by us. :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 19, 2008

    How cool! I love the name Val..it sounds like the Old Wild West.

    ReplyDelete
  6. great new fruit you've introduced me to, berries are difficult to access in crete.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 19, 2008

    Where's the vanilla ice cream? ;)
    Looks delicious, Val!
    Maryann xox

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vall, this is absolutely yummy!!! xxGloria

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've often seen the name "Saskatoon berry" but have no idea what they are, not having seen them. Thanks for the info and another great-looking pie!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It looks delicious but "no berries no pie" (lol)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I bet that pie taste great! Interesting berries... I'd love to taste them!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  12. I had to Google Saskatoon berries so that I could see what they looks like. It is surely an interesting pie. I am glad you had such an fantastic birthday!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. saskatoons. saskatoons. that's a fun word. looks like they make a mean pie. i shall add them to my ever-growing list of foods to find and try. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's so interesting, Val. I've never heard of Saskatoon berries before. Sounds like they would be great in a pie!

    ReplyDelete
  15. i have never heard of saskatoon berries. but i would love to try them and this looking delicious pie.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd like to taste that pie Val! I hadn't heard of saskatoon berries, so it was an interesting post to read!

    Sounds like you have been having a rare time :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Neat, I had never heard of saskatoon berries. The preservatives and pie sound great.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG Val - what I wouldn't do for some Saskatoons. The last time Psychgrad went west she brought me Saskatoon berry jam and syrup - so good and I miss them. I've never found them in Ontario.

    The thought of a S'toon Berry Pie just makes me feel warm all over.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I too had never heard of a saskatoon berry wither!! Pie looks great

    ReplyDelete
  20. O Val...I think I'm living my dream when I see this. Heard of Saskatoon, never heard of these berries; not a chance in the world that I'll ever find 'em unless I hop across the Atlantic. Even blueberries exist in my foodie dreamworld...will just sit & drool over here!!! :0)(Am awfully envious of folk who say they'll just go & find some * aaaaaargh*)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hmm, never heard of them before! I'll have to keep an eye out--sounds like a great way to enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for sharing the info on Saskatoons. That pie is delicious :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. That description of saskatoon berries is making my mouth water! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I need to see a picture of these and try them. My brother is canadian and I wonder if he can send me some. :) haha!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I learn so many new foods reading blogs! This pie looks delicious, Val! At first I thought this was JUST a stresuel pie and honestly, I would be all over that, too. lol. I could just bake up some streusel and call it a day.. ;) Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've never heard of Saskatoon berries either, I'm so intrigued. And I am loving that streusel topping, it looks just delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm going to say what everyone else has said - I love that I learn about so many new things from food blogs! I have never heard of these berries, bu the pie sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Now I am going to have to scour the markets for some Saskatoon berries.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Cool! I have some Saskatoon berry syrup and jam...but I've never actually made anything with the berries themselves. Not sure if I would be able to find them here.

    ReplyDelete
  30. OK, this is so weird. I had never heard of saskatoon berries before. Then last week a blogger sent me a recipe for Saskatoon Berry Pie for SHF, and now you're posting on the very same recipe! I think this is a sign that I have to try them. And that streusel topping on your pie looks oh-sooo-good.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Mmm what a perfect looking pie, especially that crust. I've never had Saskatoon berries.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousJuly 25, 2008

    Saskatoon berrys - great cooked with rhubarb.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJuly 29, 2008

    Saskatoons are grown up here in no-man's land (aka Saskatchewan). The berry grows wild around these parts and everyone who lives here has been on at lease one Saskatoon Berry Picking Picking Party. The berries are sweet and violet in color. We even have a major city named after this berry. You can make anything with - jam's, jellies, cheesecake, wine...

    Saskatchewan is more than just ice and snow.

    ReplyDelete
  34. These berries are everywhere in the flathead valley. Have never seen anyone pick them. Have a couple of them and chokecherries right front of my house will go pick some and try to make this pie thanks

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    We just picked some Saskatoon berries yesterday evening in Edmonton, AB and can't wait to make this pie!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I also picked two ice cream pails full two days ago, out by Wapasu Lake. I can't believe how big and plentiful they are this year!! I have never seen them so large. Conditions must be just right, but sadly, this delicacy will only be available for another day or two...

    ReplyDelete

Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

This blog uses comment moderation therefore SPAMMERS, SELF-PROMOTERS and ADVERTISERS will be deleted.