Day Trippin’ for Honeyberries
Look, while every Alaskan seems to have a much-guarded foraging locale (including yours truly), there is a hidden gem up on the Parks Highway between Denali National Park and Fairbanks that I am ready to talk about.
It’s become a summertime ritual for my household: grab some containers, pack lunch, and head north for a day of honeyberry goodness at The Big Μ Farm in Nenana. This picturesque familyrun farm opens the Interior’s u-pick season with rows of gorgeous honeyberries, or haskaps, which are as endearing to say as they are delicious to eat.
Haskap is a cold-hardy crop in the honeysuckle family. It’s native to Russia and Eastern Asia and looks a bit like its blueberry cousin, but is longer, with deep, almost sultry red wine vibes. It feels like an indulgence to pick these cultivated berries without a bear spray on your belt.
Haskap berries freeze quite well due to their size, and I stock up for the winter. They’re equally fabulous fresh in baked goods, pancakes, and jams. And read on for another idea for the adults: Honeyberry Mojitos. As a bonus, the mojitos take advantage of the short months your mint plant has to flourish.
The Big Μ Farm is located off the Parks Highway on Kenea Drive in Nenana, 46 miles south of Fairbanks. The farm is typically open weekends and select weekdays throughout July and August. Their colorful u-pick includes honeyberries (haskaps), saskatoons, red currants, and raspberries, as well as a vibrant variety of peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, string beans, sugar snap peas, and more.
Before you go, call 907-750-3337 or check their Facebook page to confirm hours and crop availability.
