Growing up on a farm on the Tennessee/Kentucky line proved to be quite the adventurous setting. From fishing with a cane-pole, settin' tobacco, hunting for newborn kittens and "dressing" chickens, there came a wealth of diverse culture, tales, myths and recipes.
One of my favorites, the mouth watering, tooth-pickin', stain fightin' fresh Blackberry Cobbler. We would head to the woods over by the railroad tracks in our secret place, knowing the blackberry bushes were wild and roaming over the foliage. Rambling amongst the briers, thistle and chiggers; hiding so you couldn't see them. The luscious warm clusters, sparkling from the midday sun, giving away their location to only the astute of hunters and huntresses!
Armed for battle with long sleeves, pants, gloves, hats and as much skin covered as possible, we plunged into the thickets with buckets in tow. There they were, blackish, bluish, purple, plump, sweet, tart and tasty. Their wild taste isn't even comparable to those sold at the store. Those faux, tame clusters, plunked into clear boxes and labeled with ingredients, calories and serving size.
Now for Mama's Recipe. So easy, you'll be searching for the railroad tracks and those wild devils to make one for yourself.
Ingredients
4 cups fresh blackberries, WILD and WASHED!.....coat with 1 1/2 cups sugar, let set to cause the juices to seep from the berries while you make the pastry.
mix together: (notice it's 1 of everything but milk)
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick butter, melted (can use oil instead)
1/2 to 2/3 cup milk, not too runny
Preheat oven to 375°. Stir sugared blackberries, pour into a lightly greased 8-inch or so square baking dish. Stir together butter, egg, sugar, flour and milk in a medium bowl. It should be like a cake batter or a little thicker. Pour over blackberries. Don't stir, just let the crust ooze throughout the berries, filling the nooks and crannies. Sprinkle with sugar on top.
Bake at 375° for approximately 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Don't overcook. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
That's how you hunt for Blackberries!
photos from Southern Living Magazine.
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