The last few days we've taken advantage of a tiny bit of sunshine to get some fruit. I brought back apples from my parents, then we went and helped our friends take all the plums (hence some green ones - apparently they can still be used, the wasps were getting them and they were getting blown off the tree) off their tree - they got about 4 more baskets themselves, and it isn't a big tree! Then last night we went out with the same friends to a field beyond their house, and picked blackberries and sloes. A bumper harvest I think you'll agree! We've got ideas of what to do with it all, plum jam/plum chutney (james has ideas of a plum alcohol too), blackberry jam, sloe liqueur, cider/juice, and crumbles galore! If any of the recipes work i'll post them. I'm blaming it on Fay, I wanted to do plum jam as favours anyway, she just showed me how easy it is. So this will be my practice run :S !
Wow! That is a haul and a half. And it should definitely keep you busy. Look forward to seeing some of the end results.
ReplyDeleteOh my. That is a mouthwatering photo.
ReplyDeleteI could cope with a blackberry crumble if you have a chance!!
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow wow what a harvest! have you ever read Mrs Beeton's jams and preserves recipe book? She has lots of traditional methods for turning UK crops into yummy things. The book is on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Beetons-Preserves-Beeton/dp/1407207490 but you probably want to see the recipes before then. Aha! I've just found this chapter of her book of household management for you if you are interested: http://www.mrsbeeton.com/31-chapter31.html there are recipes here including one for plum jam.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the mention in your blog! One year I made a plum syrup that I mixed with vokda to make a rather delicious plum cocktail. It was easy peasy, mixed sugar and plums cut up very finely, simmered it for a while then strained the mixture.
Good luck, I await posts on your sucesses!