Real Kris from Southcentral Alaska

Taking Flight Over Cordova

Let me tell you about one of my favorite Alaskan women -- Kris from Cordova. Cordova, a small fishing town of about 2500 year-round residents, is located in gorgeous Southcentral Alaska overlooking Prince William Sound. Because it is so small, most everyone knows most everyone else. Kris is one of Cordova's stars who has lived there for over 30 years. Another day I will tell you about her tireless work in the field of developmental disabilities. For today, not only does Kris catch, clean, and smoke fish, she also creates the most yummy candied rose hips! About a year ago, I emailed her to ask how she makes them. In her words: 

"It isn’t too hard especially when it happens as a mistake…lol

Anyway, after the first frost is when I really like to pick them, but also I jump the gun and pick them when they are just about ready, the frost makes them soft…and for cleaning it is a bit trickier…but pick them as close to the first frost as possible….

Step two: clean them, I cut them in half then scrape all the multitudes of seeds out and any greenery or flower that is left….and watch tv or a movie…takes time to do this ….discard all the seeds in your garden….and maybe make more roses or just toss….

Step three: layer them in a dehydrator as many as you can on each level….turn it on and walk away.....This is the strange part….I forgot them overnight and they became like little rock pieces of rosehips….so not to throw them away….I made: Step four: take some of the really hard halved dried rosehips, put in a silver bullet, blender, coffee grinder or what have you….and pulverize…There is no sugar or anything on these rosehips…so when you put them on yogurt, in tea or cereal…they do not add anything other than their own unique flavor…..They keep really good in a closed container…do not have to refrigerate, freeze or can….not too bad huh for a mistake….Don’t mind sharing…it is a lot of work…but way worth the pure vitamin C you get and share…My son’s friend swears that this has been helping her sinus infections….she sprinkles a small amount on her yogurt daily or on her salad…..really likes the added flavor too…Take care..hope you can understand  my instructions…like I said I stumbled into this one…Kris"