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Sea Grapes...
A Source
of Many Blessings
Among my warmest memories of autumn are the sounds and
smells of my mother canning vegetables and fruit from
that summer’s harvest. Many of us grew up in northern
areas where fruits were only available for a limited
season. Here in paradise, we are fortunate to have
unusual tropical fruits in our backyard or along the
shoreline. Sea grapes are an example, and they make very
tasty jelly.
When
the sea grapes ripen, give it a try. This recipe was
found in Gourmet Bahamian Cooking by Marie Mendelson and
Marguerite Sawyer.
Sea Grape Jelly
1
quart sea grape juice
5 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice
1 package powdered pectin
5 cups sugar
To
prepare juice wash sea grapes and measure. Put in fairly
large, wide pot with half as much water (1 cup of water
to 2 cups sea grapes). Bring to a boil. Mash often with
a potato masher and continue boiling until fruit is
reduced to a soft pulp (about 25 to 30 minutes). Drain
through a jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth. Do
not squeeze.
Place one quart juice in a wide kettle. Turn heat high
and add lemon or lime juice and pectin. Bring mixture to
a rolling boil. Stir in sugar and return to a rolling
boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. Pour hot
mixture into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4” head
space. Seal tightly.
About the Sea Grape
Sea
Grape (Coccoloba uvifera), is a remarkable native,
salt-tolerant species of plant found near sea beaches of
tropical America and the Caribbean, including Florida
and Bermuda. These amazing plants are plentiful along
many of Florida’s beaches including those in our local
area.
Plants appear as low sprawling bushes or tall continuous
hedges along the sand dunes. This plant can be
identified by its thick circular leaves growing 8” to
10” in diameter. The leaves are leathery in texture with
a primary vein that has a red color extending from the
base. The entire leaf turns red as it ages. The bark is
smooth and yellowish. In late summer, it bears fruit in
large grape-like clusters which turn from green to
purplish when ripe. The fruit also contains a pit.
Sea
grapes are quite helpful to the ecosystems in which they
grow. The fruit is consumed by a number of native birds
and mammals, while the protective canopy provides a home
for animals including songbirds, lizards and gopher
tortoises.
In
addition to providing habitat, sea grape plants help to
stabilize sand dunes and to protect upland structures
from storm-induced erosion. In fact, this plant has been
deemed important enough to be protected under Florida
Statute.
For
further information, check out the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services website at
www.doacs.state.fl.us.
Written by Sherry L. Kennedy
Printed October 2008
Web
August 2009
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