Possum grapes

 

In the eBook, Simple Jess, the characters are in a little town called Marrying Stone, Ozark, in Arkansas, US. 

 

At a church gathering, the main character in the book, Althea's dish was: Venison with Possum Grape Dumplings. 

 

Immediately I Googled the dish. Since the main dish was Venison, I thought: dumplings made of Possum (photo below) and grapes? Or dumplings with grapes in?

 

Turned out they only cook the dumpling dough in grape juice. Meh - disappointed.

 

Why exactly these small black and sour grapes are called 'Possum' is also not real clear. "Possum Grape is located near the historic riverboat town of Grand Glaise, in Jackson County. The parish probably derives its unusual name from the wild grape, the opossum, popular in the region for the production of jams and wine."

 

But I've learned something new!!!