How to make sugar free elderberry 'syrup'

Dutch: Vlierbessen - French: Baies de sureau - German: Holunderbeeren

We all dealt with our first cold and flu symptoms  here at home, and I thought it would be a nice occasion for sharing some of our home made recipes. Elderberries make a great wild edible, but they are even more than  that: they are true medicine.

Elderberries (the fruits of Sambucus nigra) are the number one ally in beating viruses like flu and common colds. This is a must have (I'd rather say must make) wild medicine to have around for the winter to come. Traditionally, it is turned into a syrup. But neither of us has sweet tooth at home (like my daughter, who prefers olives over sweet things) and we like to avoid sugar as much as we can for health reasons as well. Here's an alternative: elderberry ice cubes.

First, pick your berries. Choose the really ripe ones.

Then, remove the berries from the stems. Any green ones should be discarded. We like to do this with our hands, but if you want to avoid staining your hands, a fork may come in handy.

See those stains? Did you know the berries make a good dye for fabric and hair?

Then, boil the berries and let simmer for a while. I start on a low fire, so that I don't need to add any water. Soon you'll see the berries bursting open and release their juice.
This step is essential! Elderberries contain a cyanide-producing glycoside, which is toxic to humans, and the heat destroys this.

Pour into a cheesecloth.

And get all the goodness out.

Here's the glorious juice!

And pour into ice cube trays. Put in your freezer and take one out whenever you feel your immune system needs some support. Add to a glass of water, your favorite juice (or wine, or cava).

Don't throw away the leftover pulp! Put it in a glass jar, add some vinegar, let steep for six weeks, strain, and tadaaaah! Elderberry vinegar. Great on salads, but we also like to add a tablespoon of this vinegar with a tablespoon of honey to a glass of water. This makes a super healthy soda alternative that boosts your immune system. To your health!