Huckleberry Barbecue Sauce
1 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 to 1 tsp. pepper
1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons molasses
1 cup fresh or frozen huckleberries* or blueberries
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In a medium saucepan, cook onion in oil over medium heat until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in salt, chili powder, dry mustard, pepper, chile flakes, and cumin. Cook until seasonings are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and molasses. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Add berries and simmer gently, uncovered, until softened, 25 minutes. Purée most of sauce in a blender, then stir into remaining sauce.
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*Buy from specialty produce markets or nwwildfoods.com, or pick your own in the wild from August through October.