North Dakota Juneberry Pie

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/4 cup shortening and 1/4 cup cut-up butter until pieces are pea size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon ice water over part of the flour mixture; toss gently with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat with additional ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time (1/4 to 1/3 cup total), until all of the flour mixture is moistened. Gather mixture into a ball, kneading gently until it holds together.

To save time, use half of a 15-ounce package (1 crust) rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust instead of the homemade pastry. Let stand according to package directions before easing into pie plate.

Juneberries, Service Berries or Shadbush: The blue-black, round berries, which are red before they ripen, are about 1/4-1/3 inch across, the size of blueberries, which they resemble. They even have the crown-frilled opening on the end away from the fruit stalk. Inside are soft, teardrop-shaped, reddish-brown seeds that have a nutty, almond flavor. Juneberries are a great surprise the first time you try them. With no similar commercial relatives, these delicious berries, related to apples, are quite unique. Although they'd been sold in the marketplace in the past, they're almost completely forgotten today. The fruit has a strong, sweet and penetrating flavor, a little like pears. Make your favorite blueberry muffin recipe using juneberries. It will be different and fantastic. I've made my best cobblers with this fruit. They also make great jam. They contain pectin, so you don't need much thickener.