Juneberries or serviceberries are as fine as blueberries but get less respect -- go out and find some of these delicious berries!

Juneberry: Photo by Ken Korczak

By KEN KORCZAK

Well, June 2012 is almost in the books, and juneberries are ready to pick -- if you can find any. For me, in the northwest corner of Minnesota, there seems to be darn few, at least in the area surrounding my home and where I forage.

My theory is that we have had remarkably little rain this year, unlike most other areas of Minnesota. I've been out looking at all the juneberry bushes and most have just a few ragged looking little berries on then. Oh well, that's the way it goes

The juneberry, also called serviceberry, is a remarkably delicious natural fruit which grows widely in Minnesota and many other areas of the country. they grow on medium-sized bushes with dark green, rather rounded leaves with little serration.

They have a sweet taste which may not be as bold or succulent as the blueberry, but this is simply an extremely fine fruit. Absolutely wonderful for pies and jams. Go out and have a look for them. Hope you have better luck than I did this year.

Check out Ken Korczak's delightful book: BIRD BRAIN GENIUS

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