Experience the Magic of McCall, Idaho: Huckleberry Foraging & Our Irresistible Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler Recipe
There’s something truly special about escaping to a beloved family cabin, especially when it’s nestled in a place as breathtaking as McCall, Idaho. My recent weekend retreat there was a much-anticipated annual gathering, a cherished tradition that brings my family together. For anyone who has yet to discover the charm of McCall, you are missing out on one of Idaho’s most beautiful destinations. It’s a place that captures your heart, offering a perfect blend of serene natural beauty and exciting outdoor adventures. From the moment we arrived until the reluctantly packed our bags, every minute was filled with joy, laughter, and the simple pleasure of each other’s company.
Our days were spent embracing everything McCall has to offer. We glided across the pristine waters of Payette Lake in our boat, feeling the sun on our skin and the gentle spray of the water. Swimming in the refreshing lake was an invigorating experience, a true taste of summer. Evenings brought competitive (but friendly!) games and relaxed conversations, fostering that unique warmth only found when surrounded by loved ones. These moments, steeped in tradition and the stunning backdrop of the Idaho wilderness, are why leaving always feels like such a wrench. The memories we create here are priceless, and the longing to return begins even before we’ve fully departed.
The Wild Hunt: A Delightful Huckleberry Picking Adventure
Sunday brought a new adventure: a leisurely hike through the lush forests surrounding McCall. But this wasn’t just any hike; I had a specific mission in mind – to find huckleberries. For the uninitiated, huckleberries are small, wild berries, somewhat similar to blueberries but with a distinctly more intense, tart-sweet flavor that is simply unparalleled. They are a true treasure of the Pacific Northwest and notoriously hard to find, making the quest all the more exciting. It was still a bit early in the season, which only amplified my surprise and delight when I spotted a cluster of ripe, plump huckleberries, ready for picking!
The discovery quickly turned into a family-wide foraging expedition. Soon, we were all happily spread out from the main trail, meticulously searching beneath leaves and branches, picking every ripe huckleberry we could find. It’s a slow, patient process, requiring keen eyes and a gentle touch, but the reward is immense. Each tiny berry represents a small victory, a taste of the wild, untamed beauty of Idaho. Gathering a substantial amount of these elusive berries takes time and dedication, which explains why they are so expensive – if you can even find them for sale! Having not gone huckleberry picking in years, the experience was incredibly gratifying. The fresh, intensely flavored berries were undoubtedly worth every bit of effort we put in.
A Culinary Revelation: Huckleberry Peach Cobbler in the Dutch Oven
With our precious bounty of huckleberries in hand, my mind immediately turned to dessert. I had already made plans to bake a classic peach cobbler in our Dutch oven after dinner that evening. But now, with these incredible wild berries, an idea sparked: adding the huckleberries to the peach cobbler would undoubtedly elevate it to an extraordinary level. And oh, it did! The resulting flavor combination was nothing short of incredible, a true revelation for the taste buds. The natural sweetness of the ripe peaches perfectly complemented the delightful tartness of the fresh huckleberries, all enveloped under a soft, cakey topping baked to golden perfection. It was, without exaggeration, the quintessential summertime dessert, embodying the fresh, vibrant flavors of the season.
The Art and Joy of Dutch Oven Baking, Especially While Camping
Baking cobblers in a Dutch oven is one of my absolute favorite culinary activities, especially when we’re out camping. There’s an undeniable magic about cooking outdoors, under the open sky, with the warmth of the coals radiating around the heavy cast-iron pot. It imparts a unique rustic flavor and a special kind of satisfaction that simply cannot be replicated in a conventional kitchen oven. The crackle of the fire, the aroma of the baking fruit, and the anticipation of a warm, comforting dessert create an experience that enhances any outdoor adventure.
While any good cobbler recipe can be adapted for Dutch oven cooking, I particularly favor this recipe due to its simplicity. It cleverly incorporates a pre-made baking mix, like Bisquick, significantly reducing the number of ingredients you need to pack and manage, which is a huge advantage when space and convenience are paramount, as they often are during camping trips. This streamlined approach means less fuss and more time to enjoy the natural surroundings and the company of your family.
One of the many appealing aspects of a recipe like this is its incredible adaptability. If fresh huckleberries are out of season or simply too challenging to find in your area, there’s no need to worry. Fresh blueberries make an excellent substitute, offering a similar burst of fruity goodness. Alternatively, you can easily omit the berries altogether and enjoy a classic, delectable peach cobbler. Furthermore, while the Dutch oven experience is truly unique and highly recommended, this cobbler can absolutely be baked in a standard oven using a regular baking dish with equally delicious results. However, if you possess a camping Dutch oven and the opportunity arises, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this method a try. The flavor profile and the overall experience it delivers make it far more fun and memorable!
No matter how you choose to prepare it, the final touch is crucial: serve your warm, bubbling cobbler with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cool, rich topping melts into the warm fruit, creating a delightful contrast in temperature and texture that is utterly divine. We certainly savored every single spoonful, making it a perfect end to our wonderful weekend in McCall. This huckleberry peach cobbler isn’t just a dessert; it’s a sweet memory of family, nature, and the simple joys of life.
Dutch Oven Huckleberry Peach Cobbler
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Ingredients
- 7 large peaches , peeled and sliced
- 2 cups fresh huckleberries or blueberries
- 2 tablespoons baking mix , such as Bisquick
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Dash of cinnamon
Cobbler Topping:
- 2 ¼ cup baking mix , such as Bisquick
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted
- ½ cup milk
- Cinnamon-sugar , for sprinkling
Instructions
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Prepare charcoal, if using. You’ll need approximately 45 coals. Otherwise, preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 12 or 14-inch dutch oven or other baking dish.
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In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the topping. The mixture will be thick. Set aside.
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Toss the fruit together with the baking mix, sugar, and cinnamon. Place in the dutch oven or baking dish and spoon pieces of the prepared dough on top. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
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When the coals are white, they’re ready. Cover the dutch oven and place over 15 of the coals and place the rest of the coals on top (the general rule is twice as many on top as on bottom). Rotate the oven over the coals after 15 minutes to promote even cooking. The cobbler is finished with the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling through, about 25 minutes.
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Alternatively, bake in your oven for 25-30 minutes.
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Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.