(Image courtesy of Gabrielle Catalano)Pemmican is a high-energy mixture of dried meat, dried fruit and tallow that was birthed by Native Americans. The Cree word “pimîhkân” is further broken down into the word “pimî,” meaning “fat and grease,” and is where the name pemmican is derived from.
This Thanksgiving holiday, we’re honoring our Native American brothers and sisters with an Unthanksgiving Day feast, including a traditional pemmican infused with one of our favorite stress-relieving hybrid strains, Blueberry.
Pemmican Infused With Blueberry
Historically, pemmican was made from large game such as deer, bison, elk, caribou or moose. The meat was cut into pieces and then hung over a fire to dry. It was then pounded into very small pieces using a rock, before being combined with tallow. At times, Saskatoon berries or cranberries were added to this high-energy treat, whereas other times, such as during ceremonies or weddings, other berries such as blueberries, chokecherries, cherries and currents were used.
The pemmican was molded and stored in rawhide bags that could last several years. It fed tribes during the winter and also sustained hunters during long pursuits. Pemmican was so broadly loved that it was adopted by various European groups, including French fur traders, and Arctic and Antarctic explorers. This remarkably nutrition-dense customary recipe is thankfully still being prepared today, safe in the traditions of family.
In certain circles, Blueberry is just as renowned and well-liked as pemmican, boasting a well-deserved reputation as a sedating, relaxing hybrid cannabis strain. Blueberry is the love child of a three-way cross that was developed by legendary seed breeder DJ Short in the 1970s. The distinctive flavor of sweet blueberries with hints of mixed berry and a skunk-like earthiness make this strain a great companion for this traditional pemmican recipe.
Medicinally speaking, this flower is absolutely textbook for mood stabilization, as its euphoric effects are particularly strong, with a quick onset. Secondary uses of this strain are for quelling nausea and deep muscle pains. Blueberry is a perfect balance of indica and sativa; you can consume it any time of the day and be happy with its results. And just as pemmican has stood the test of time, so too has Blueberry, making this infused energy bite something special to pass on to others who respect its ingredients and history.
Ingredients You Will Need:
- 8 ounces mixed berries, minced
- 4 ounces dried minced meat (deer, bison, elk, caribou or moose)
- 4 ounces melted infused Blueberry tallow
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
Directions:
Step 1: Either purchase dried meat of your choice or make it yourself. If you purchase the dried meat, grind it down with a mortar and pestle, food processor, or mince it with a chef’s knife. If you choose to dry the meat yourself, spread it out onto a cookie sheet and bake it for 7–8 hours at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, until completely dry and crisp. Then grind, pulverize or chop the dried meat.
Step 2: Mince the dried berries with a knife, pulverize with a food processor, or grind with a mortar and pestle.
Step 3: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the berries, meat, maple syrup/honey and melted tallow. Take care to ensure the fat is properly incorporated into the other ingredients.
Step 4: Using your hands and a scale, weigh then roll the mixture into little balls and lay onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll out the balls to yield the dosage that is desired. If you do not want balls, you can flatten the pemmican into disks.
Step 5: Let the fat set up and harden before putting the pemmican away for storage. It can be stored in the fridge or freezer as needed. If you want a longer shelf life, omit the maple syrup or honey.
Dosage: If a gram of flower tests at 24 percent THC, then 24 percent of 1,000mg would be 240mg, so the entire pemmican mixture would have 240mg of THC in it. To figure out your dosing, sub the number of your THC percentage into the amount of flower you want and do the math to determine how potent you want your pemmican to be per piece. If you want a smaller dose, simply cut the flower down to a smaller portion. If you want a higher dose, increase the flower as needed.
Alternative Strain Suggestions
Strains that possess sweet blueberry or berry-like terpenes and flavonoids will work great with protein-rich pemmican. The following would be ideal if you didn’t have Blueberry handy:
Big Bud: Another indica-leaning hybrid, the couch-lock effects will have you feeling sleepy and relaxed in the best possible way.
Blueberry Kush: If putting a pin in your anxiety and relieving any pain is what you’re after, then this indica strain will calm you quickly.
Blueberry OG: A high-CBD hybrid strain known for boosting appetite and reducing inflammation.
DJ Short Blueberry: Wanna feel relaxed and energized? Then this uplifting indica leaner is the strain for you.
Blueberry Diesel: Indica dominant, this happy-maker hybrid will have you feeling fine in next to no time.
If you cannot find these strains, don’t panic, just follow your nose and taste buds to find strains that would best complement the dish. And when choosing another strain, keep in mind that the THC percentage will be different, therefore dose accordingly.
