Possum Grape Drink (Oo-Ni-Na-Su-Ga Oo-Ga-Ma) Servings: n/a Classification: Traditional Nation/Tribe: Cherokee Ingredients Possum grapes1, dried Water Corn meal
Directions Shell off the grapes from the stems, wash, and stew them in water. When they are done, mash in the water they were cooked in. Let this sit until the seed settle, then strain, reserving liquid.
Put the juice back on the fire and and bring to a boil. Add a little cornmeal to thicken the juice. Continue cooking until the meal is done. Remove from the fire and drink hot or cold.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. We are unsure what "Possum Grapes" are, but believe they are probably wild muscadines. Muscadines are similar to a concord. Muscadine vines may be purchased from various growers. The original recipe says to "Gather ripe possum grapes, the kind that are still sour after they ripen when the frost has first fallen on them. Hang up for winter use." Based on this, it's presumable the grapes were allowed to dry naturally indoors as opposed to the sun-drying process used on modern raisins.
|