34
I made some Fireweed Honey today, just like the Alaskan homesteaders used to do.
As the story goes, living on the frontier and away from civilization was tough. It was difficult to get foodstuffs normally found in stores. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the homesteaders got creative. They used what was readily available. By collecting fireweed and cooking it down with sugar, they made a delicious honey. As honey was frequently in short supply in early Alaskan history, fireweed and clover honey became a common sweet treat for early homesteaders.
First you pick some fireweed. We don't have enough that grows in our yard, so we pick it on Big Mountain.
The fireweed is purple. The red flowers are Indian Paintbrush.
Then you pick some clover.
E picks pink clover.
Before you make the honey, wash the clover and the fireweed.
Wash the clover.
Be sure to wash all of the critters out.
Can you believe this guy was still alive after being locked up in a Ziploc bag in the fridge for 4 days?
We added to Mr. Beetle's torment. We gave him to Wes. Wes has been desperate to go outside this week, but we can't let him because our neighbor shot him with a B-B gun. We thought this would make him feel better by giving him a taste of the outdoors.
Wes scarfed him up right after this photo.
The liquid boiled over, it caught fire and I had a heck of a time cleaning the stove this morning.
Canning can be quite messy.
It may be a mess, but the results are quite satisfying.
A homestead treat that can't be beat!
Fireweed and Clover Honey recipe:
50 pink clover blooms
10 white clover blooms
18-25 fireweed blooms
3/4 tsp. alum
5 lb. bag white sugar
3 cups boiling water
Wash blooms in cold water to remove insects.
Put all ingredients except water in pan, then pour boiling water on.
Let sit for 10 minutes.
Bring to boil and boil for 10 minutes.
Strain through cheesecloth.
Put in canning jars and water bath process for 10 min. before sealing lids.
Enjoy!
______________________________________________
Buffy had a close encounter with marmots. Here is what she had to say.
Reminds me of the time in the Sierras called Silver City. We camped amongst Marmots. They ate people's rubber hoses under the hoods of their car. Everybody kept their hoods up and chased them away. They loved antifreeze hoses especially.
