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| Photo © Nikos Melanitis, 2016 |
Elderberries (aphroxylia or sambuca fruits in Greek) grow everywhere in and about Aghios Germanos and predominantly on the banks of the village streams (and the garden of the "Tzaki" coffee shop and restaurant - thanks for letting us pick them). Although not greatly appreciated by the Prespiots, together with blackberries, raspberries, wild strawberries and plums (all locally harvested at the end of August) together with lemon peel and cinnamon sticks, we produce a lovely cordial (and a scarlet stained kitchen surface!). Elderberry cordial is considered a powerful flu and cold cure, and the boys get plenty of help from their friends to pick the berries in return for a bottle. It's pretty good poured over ice cream, too.
