Maple syrup and maple sugar were an important food for all the Indians living in New England and the Great Lakes area.  Men, women, and children all helped at sugaring time.  The Brothertown Indians went deep into the woods each spring.  They had their favorite grove of old maple trees that would give them lots of sap.  This grove of trees was called “Sugar Bush.”  They would tap the trees by cutting a gash into each tree trunk,  Wooden spouts, or spiles, were put into each gash.  As soon as the spile went into the tree the sap started dripping into a bucket.  When the buckets were full of sap,  they were carried to a big kettle on a fire. As the sap boiled and the water evaporated, the sap turned into maple syrup.  If they boiled the maple syrup longer, it would turn into maple sugar.  This was very hard work because the fire had to stay burning, the kettles would have to be emptied, and the sap had to be stirred all the time.  All the Brothertown people worked together to make enough syrup and sugar to last until the following spring. 

There are several web sites, recipes, and books available on the making of maple sugar.  Here is a simple recipe you might enjoy this spring:

 Maple Banana Oatmeal

 1/3 C Quick Cooking Oatmeal
2/3 C Water
1 T Maple Syrup
½ Banana

Slice banana, Mix together oatmeal, water, maple syrup, and sliced banana.  Microwave for 4 minutes on high.  Serve hot with milk.

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