Sunday 13 November 2016

Foraging

 

IMG_7620It’s been a bumper year for Damson’s and Carolyn just can’t pass a tree without filling a bag full of them. Damsons are a small fruit with vibrant dark blue skin and a strong, sour flavour, damsons are similar to plums and a member of the rose family. They have a large stone and are often juicy, but tend not be eaten raw due to the tartness of the flesh ,although they are perfect for jam making.

IMG_0004Just a small collection of what Carolyn has produced this year . In total she has made 12 jars of Damson jam, 5 jars of Damson and Plum jam, 5 jars of Damson chutney,and 5 jars of runner bean chutney ( Beans bought from a canal side stall).

IMG_8756Its also been a bumper year for Crab apple’s and Carolyn has now just produced 8 jars of Crab apple jelly.

IMG_8846We have also had a few good feeds of field Mushrooms and are now starting to harvest this years nuts. We have so far got loads of Hazel nuts and are now starting to harvest a lot of Chestnuts….Just the ticket !!!

                                                                                                               Happy Days

13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hi Debbie , It certainly tastes better than anything you can buy in the shops . Well worth the effort !

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  2. You have very accurately described a Sloe in your first paragraph which are great for pricking all over and immersing in gin for six months with a goodly amount of sugar. Damsons are small plums ruby in colour and delicious when ripe, some people turn them into jam but I prefer mine when fresh and ripe.
    I have both fruits growing in my garden and I should add that Damsons appear in September and Sloes in October early November.

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    1. I can assure you that it was Damsons which Carolyn has been turning in to Jam which she has been doing for the last 40 years after being taught by her Mother. The picture of Carolyn picking them was near end of August . We would never consider picking a sloe until after the first air frost had been on them and usually produce a bottle of Sloe Gin for Xmas..

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    2. Damson Gin is very good as well and when you draw the gin off the damsons for bottling the "used" Damsons are great with ice cream on them as a dessert. We have a damson tree in the garden

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    3. Thanks Ditchcrawler, Just mentioned it to Carolyn and it seems like it's a plan for next year !

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  3. Replies
    1. Hi Herons view , If ever we meet up we will share a drink and indulge in
      some of Carolyn's jam ... Regards Gary

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  4. Carolyn, thanks for sharing your hard work with us fall. Best Damson jam anywhere! (Heron's View, don't pass up the opportunity to have some of Carolyn's jam.) Aloha, Amos & Charlene

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    Replies
    1. So pleased you enjoyed Carolyn's jam and thanks for the compliment ... Aloha Gary and Carolyn

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  5. I bet that uses up a lot of gas ?
    have you lit wood burner yet ?

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  6. Hi ant , We use one bottle of gas every 10 to 12 weeks and they cost us about £25 each, so not so bad . The multi fuel stove is now lit and running 24/7 . It's now 25 deg in here with the stove closed right down and we have all windows and doors open ...hotter than any house we have ever lived in .. P s 6 deg C outside ..

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