Open Arms of Minnesota

Potluck Recipe #21: Mulberry Sorbet

By Susan Pagani, Communications Director
A confession: I wish it were possible to spay my mulberry tree. Every year it drops bland berries hither and yon, and it’s impossible to clean them up to anyone’s satisfaction. Outdoor dining is no fun, neighbors revolt, even complete strangers whine, stopping by the back fence to say things like, “You know, it’s okay to cut down this kind of tree.”
But the tree provides shade in the summer and hours of amusement in the fall, when squirrels imbibe the fermented berries in a bacchanalian fury and do a loopy dance across the top of our fence.
Why should they have all the fun? I’m not suggesting one should eat the fermented berries, but in the sorbet recipe below, a dash of fruit liqueur and lemon juice adds all the body and flavor mulberries lack. And if it’s going to rain berries, you might as well get something tasty out of it.
Mulberry Sorbet
(Makes one quart of sorbet)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup water
24 oz. fresh mulberries
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fruit liqueur
1. Stir sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil 1 minute. Transfer syrup to large bowl. Chill until syrup is cold, about 3 hours.
2. Working in batches, puree mulberries with cold syrup in food processor until smooth. Strain into another large bowl; discard seeds. Stir in fruit liqueur and lemon juice.
3. Process berry mixture in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer sorbet to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
4. Serve with a jaunty sprig of mint.
Note: We have also made this without liqueur, instead adding a couple sprigs of rosemary to the simple syrup, which is then strained out with the berry seeds. In that case, an extra tablespoon of lemon juice is also nice. Delicious!

More from Open Arms

HIV Day On The Hill Graphic

HIV Day On The Hill

Join Us For HIV Day On The Hill Join us for a day of advocacy on Tuesday, March 12, at 8 AM for HIV on the Hill! Collaborate with HIV advocates and LGBTQ leaders as we discuss legislative priorities such as expanding PrEP access

Read More »

Voyage Minnesota Features Leah Hebert Welles

Open Arms CEO Leah Hebert Welles Featured By VoyageMinnesota Open Arms of Minnesota CEO Leah Hebert Welles has been featured by VoyageMinnesota as part of its Daily Inspiration series.  VoyageMinnesota’s mission is to promote mom and pops, artists, creatives, makers and small businesses by

Read More »
End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!