Though many people think (incorrectly) that the fruit is poisonous, it was
eaten widely by British Columbia First Peoples. Clusters of berries were
gathered in July and August. Berries were detached back at camp and cooked
overnight in steaming pits or boiled in redcedar boxes. Berries were placed
over fires on skunk cabbage leaves and dried into cakes for later use. To
improve the flavour, red elderberries were mixed with other kinds of
berries. Recently people mix the berries with sugar and make wine jelly or
jam. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)
[NAFEX] Sambucus rasemosa (Red Elderberry),
Jim Fruth, 07/13/2009