THE elderberry flowers they bloom in May and are harvested when the pistil is still fresh. They can be found in the open countryside, where the air is clean and they color the roadsides with small white flowers, which appear together in umbrellas facing downwards (left image), in this case we speak of Sambucus negro. You have to be very careful, because in nature they exist variety are similar though poisonous for humans, as in the case of Sambucus ebulus, which has irregular inflorescence, with white flowers from pointed petals is pink or red stamens (right image), so if you are not more than sure that they are edible, do not collect them.

Elderberry flowers: properties

Elderberry flowers, as well as their fruits, are edible and rich in beneficial properties, among the main therapeutic uses, elderberry works with function: diuretic, emollient, antineuralgal, laxative, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), hematic, antirheumatic, purifying and stimulating bronchial secretion. It is prepared in the form of extract, as brew or decoction.

Elderflower herbal tea

There elderflower herbal tea strengthens the immune system, it is useful against cough, cold and fever since it stimulates sweating. To prepare it you just need water and elderberry flowers dried, then stock up on elderberry flowers, let them dry in the sun and keep them in an airtight jar to prepare infusions and herbal teas.

Herbal tea ingredients
150 ml of water
2 teaspoons of elderberry flowers

Boil the water in a saucepan and pour two teaspoons of dried elderberry flowers; let it rest for 5 minutes, then strain and drink.

Elderflower syrup

The elderflower syrup is an excellent health ally, rich in vitamins, trace elements and flavonoids it has purifying and draining properties, it helps to relieve the symptoms of cold and fever. If you are following a weight loss diet, a spoon mixed with water, juice and yogurt, taken between meals, is an ideal antidote against nervous hunger.

Syrup ingredients
15-20 elderberry flowers
1.5 l water
4 untreated lemons
sugar
vinegar

Cut 15-20 elderflowers at the base of the umbrella, then without washing them in order not to eliminate the perfume, put them in a large jar with 4 untreated lemons cut into rings and 1.5 liters of water. Close the jar and let it rest at room temperature for 2-3 days, stirring occasionally. only then the liquid: put one colander on a saucepan, line it with a canvas and pour all the contents of the jar; close the tea towel around the flowers and wring to squeeze the juice. Add the same weight of sugar and 50 g of apple cider vinegar to the liquid and boil for 2-3 minutes. Transfer it immediately into bottles filling them up to 1 cm below the edge. Close them and keep them in the fridge. The syrup lasts 2-4 months.

Elderberry flowers fried in batter

THE fried elderberry flowers they will make you dream, they have the consistency of clouds, they are soft and fluffy. You can make both sweet and savory, in batter with or without eggs, choosing between sparkling water or beer. If you prefer a thicker batter use eggs, otherwise for a lighter version try without. The choice between carbonated water and beer depends on your taste, to feel all the scent of elderflower, natural, use sparkling water if not for a richer flavor flavor opt for beer. We preferred one full-bodied batter but that would leave room for the flavor of elderberries, with eggs and sparkling water.

Batter for 20 elderberry flowers
150 g 00 flour
200 g sparkling water
2 egg whites
1 yolk
salt
pepper

Whip 2 egg whites and aside, in another bowl, pour water, flour, 1 yolk and mix well with a whisk to obtain a velvety and lump-free consistency. Add the beaten egg whites a little at a time and stir until the batter is not smooth and frothy. Season with salt and pepper. Dip the elderberries in the batter and fry them in plenty of hot peanut oil. Drain on kitchen paper and serve with a pinch of salt.

Sweet elderflower pancakes

The pancakes they are the sweet version of fried elderberries. Prepare with the batter classic crepes, but with the addition of a pinch of sugar and a dusting after frying.

Sweet batter ingredients
250 g milk
100 g flour
2 eggs
salt
sugar
icing sugar

Collect 2 eggs in a bowl and shuffle with flour, a pinch of salt and sugar. Then, working with the whisk, exotically the mixture the milk until you get a rather batter liquid and lump-free. Dip the elderberries in the pancake batter and fry them in plenty of hot peanut oil. Drain on kitchen paper and serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar.

Panaché

The beer mix most popular is definitely beer and gazzosa, the classic mixed beer, but you can pour 2 tablespoons of syrup in a mug of beer and create a very pleasant panaché. Try it also in sparkling wine, keeping the same proportions, 2 tablespoons of syrup for wine glass.

Hugo cocktail, the elderflower drink

The Hugo cocktail, for Hugo friends, it's a slightly alcoholic drink, fragrant and fresh, for the presence of the elderflower syrup and of mint. A cocktail quick and easy, so you can easily prepare it at home.

Ingredients for 1 drink
60 ml of prosecco
60 ml of soda water (or carbonated water)
30 ml of elderflower syrup
mint (fresh)
ice

Put in a wide chalice several ice cubes. Add the prosecco, the seltz (alternatively you can use a very carbonated water) and the elderflower syrup. Jumbled up all and complete with fresh mint leaves.