WHERE TO FIND BLACKBERRIES IN ISCHIA
The blackberries have always intrigued, and thus attracted those Ischitans who go to the woods between July and August in search of some rustic coolness. It is known, and on the island they know it well, that they belong to the blackberries family both the bramble ones (the wild blackberries ), black in color and also red and pinkish, and the mulberry ones, typically reddish. The blackberries of bramble grow wild on Ischia as in many other parts of Campania and beyond, and it is easy to find them in the countryside and in the woods of Fiaiano, Santa Maria al Monte, in the pine forest of Ischia (formerly Villari), under L'Epomeo, in the reforestation of Maddalena in Casamiccciola, in the Bosco di Zaro and at Cretaio. usually along the edge of the lanes, attached with their foliage to the "parracine" .
BLACKBERRIES MULBERRY OR WILD?
Mulberry, on the contrary is cultivated and its leaves serve as primary food for the silkworm. Cultivation on the island of Ischia is quite limited, however, present enough to boast of having them. The blackberries ripen in summer, that is, when they take on a glossy blackish color and then variously colored. Once picked they should be eaten immediately, or they can be stored in the refrigerator, but for very few days. The ideal months for harvesting are July and August.
Wild blackberries are - along with prickly pears - among the tastiest fruits that grow wild on the island of Ischia. Throughout the year, the wild blackberries plant ( of the genus rubus) in the shape of a thorny bush, has a very unattractive appearance, springs up almost everywhere, prefers places full of sun, and is a very colonizing plant - in practice it rarely stays in its place - to the point that it often makes little-used mountain paths impassable. In late spring, flowers resembling ancient rosettes sprout among the thorns, and in midsummer, instead of flowers, fruit comes forth. If you look closely-but not too closely, on pain of some nasty scratches-at a bramble bush, you can see tiny green berries, which are baby blackberries. They, with the sun, swell, ripen a very sweet pulp and when they turn black, they will be very sweet and ready to eat.
HARVESTING SEASON
So, it is time to harvest them. You start doing that as early as the beginning of July. But in September, they are still there to be eaten with perhaps superior taste. Those who go for blackberries these days are not disappointed. The island's forests, the mountains of the Green Island, despite the heat, are welcoming in this respect and one can also enjoy pleasant coolness . Just equip yourself well, appropriately to the state of the places, and any discomfort such as leg bites is overcome. It will be an opportunity to walk in the beautiful mountain trails of the island of Ischia, do some outdoor exercise and have a blast at blackberries.
JAM AND MORONCELLO
If then the harvested blackberries are carefully stored for a while in the refrigerator, a few days later they can be used for a good jam, the classic jam of blackberries. The recipe, which many experienced Ischitans know, is as follows and will be useful for those who are unaware. 2 kg of wild blackberries , 400gr sugar, 300gr water grated rind of one lemon. Wash the blackberries in cold water and put them to dry on a dishcloth. Prepare a syrup by boiling sugar and water for one minute. Pour the blackberries into the boiling syrup, add the grated lemon zest and cook over low heat, stirring. When the jam is thick and smooth, remove it from the heat and put it into glass jars. Close and invert, leave upside down until completely cooled.
Although few people are aware of it, Moroncello, a refined liqueur yet to be discovered, is gaining ground on the island. It is undoubtedly on its way to becoming a serious competitor to Limoncello, Rugolino and similar products.[Recipe].
FAIRY TALES AND TRADITIONS
The blackberries on the island of Ischia always remain that fruit of nature about whose birth and growth people even fantasize and take it as an example to invent little stories, tales, even fairy tales. The blackberry often attracts children and young girls precisely because of the uniqueness of its natural characteristics , from its color to its flesh. Once picked without caution, and crushing them in one's hands, it happens that the black and dark red colored juices not only smear one's hands and face vigorously, but also end up ruining the dress one wears by stains that can remain indelible.
Source: IlGolfo24 - Cover photo: Luca Scognamillo
