Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa — Rosaceae
Italiano: Prugnolo — Pronz/Pirun
Description
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) belongs to the Rosaceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Hedgerows, Forest edges, Dry fields, Hills environments across regions including Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain. Botanically, Blackthorn is fruits sloe gin jams. Flowers salad. Leaves tea. Best after frost.. It is also known locally as Pronz/Pirun. The edible parts include Fruits, Flowers, Leaves. With an edibility rating of 5/10, it ranks as a moderate wild food source. Harvesting is best done during March, November, October and September. Nutritionally, Blackthorn stands out for its Vitamin C (15.0mg, 17% DV), Vitamin A (35.0mg, 4% DV) and Potassium (157.0mg, 3% DV). It also provides 4.6g protein and 2.6g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Blackthorn offers a Astringent tangy flavor profile. Fruits jam gin flowers salad. Common culinary applications include sloe gin, jam, flowers salad. Popular preparations include Sloe gin, Sloe jam, Sauteed greens with garlic, Wild green pesto. For storage, jam 12mo. Safety note: Seed pits amygdalin cyanogenic do not crush. Antinutrient content is amygdalin pits. Tannins unripe fruit. Safe lookalike species include Bilberry Raspberry. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.
🌿 Foraging Tips
🍳 Recipe: Sloe gin
This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.
Edibility
Harvest Calendar
Nutrition (per 100g)
Culinary Uses: sloe gin, jam, flowers salad Storage: Jam 12mo
Recipes
- Sloe gin
- Sloe jam
- Sauteed greens with garlic
- Wild green pesto
- Leafy green soup
- Wild winter pesto made from Blackthorn
- Traditional Blackthorn soup
- Blackthorn and potato frittata
