Growing wild in the mountains of Montana and Idaho, the small and irresistible little berry has captured my attention and appetite. I had the opportunity to taste the huckleberry in Glacier National Park, where it shows up in everything: jam, honey, bbq sauce, pastries, even lib balm. The closest comparison to this special fruit is the blueberry, but the huckleberry’s smaller size alludes to its intriguing differences to the more common fruit. A handful of huckleberries will stain your hand bright purple from the vibrant, syrupy juice leaking from the sweet spheres. They also pop in your mouth and exhibit their beautifully rich, almost creamy flavor with a blast of sweetness and even a hint of vanilla. I don’t know if it is the ramblin’ name of this fruit (shared by our truly American protagonist), the candy-like excitement, or its rustic alpine home that brought me so close to this small, homey berry.
Exploring Food In Chicago
