First blackberries

[Lullabelle]

We live by the Great Central Way and every year there is an abundance of blackberries, might have a go at turning some into jam. My boss thinks I am weird for picking them as 'you don't know what has been around them' so I explained that we pick them from as high up as possible so no creature can reach them to do a nasty on them but she likes all of her food clean and pre-packaged.

 

[Ganymede]

We live by the Great Central Way and every year there is an abundance of blackberries, might have a go at turning some into jam. My boss thinks I am weird for picking them as 'you don't know what has been around them' so I explained that we pick them from as high up as possible so no creature can reach them to do a nasty on them but she likes all of her food clean and pre-packaged.

People are weirdly obsessed with this idea of animal wee, aren't they.

BTW I'd make jelly, not jam, with blackberries. Jam is nice but full of pips! You don't have to do the full through-a-double-jelly-bag-overnight-till-perfectly-clear faff, just cook them up (with an apple or two for extra set) and strain through a reasonable sieve before boiling up. 1lb sugar per 1 pint of juice of course. Oh yumsy yum!

 

[pawl]

I had a Blackberry once. It was nothing but trouble and the battery always seemed to run down quite quickly on it, despite everything having been taken off it (it was 2nd hand).

Try putting custard on them.

 

[Lullabelle]

People are weirdly obsessed with this idea of animal wee, aren't they.

BTW I'd make jelly, not jam, with blackberries. Jam is nice but full of pips! You don't have to do the full through-a-double-jelly-bag-overnight-till-perfectly-clear faff, just cook them up (with an apple or two for extra set) and strain through a reasonable sieve before boiling up. 1lb sugar per 1 pint of juice of course. Oh yumsy yum!

I have never heard of the jelly bag sounds a bit odd. I quite like pips in jam however I like your recipe so will jot it down for future reference

 

[Ganymede]

I have never heard of the jelly bag sounds a bit odd. I quite like pips in jam however I like your recipe so will jot it down for future reference

It's actually a good thing - you can just use 2 layers of muslin or a jelly bag bought from a shop. The idea is to get a beautifully clear, jewel-coloured jelly which will win you prizes at the village show (as well as avoiding the pips). I make damson jelly (1st prize one year!) as I can't be bovvered to pick out all the stones. You can stir fruit jellies into gravy, especially lamb or game - the classic is redcurrant but the damson is fab. You can make mint jelly by making clear apple jelly and adding chopped mint just before potting up (actually better with gooseberry jelly, sharper!). I made raspberry jelly last year, I've never seen such a beautiful colour.

Most fruits I'd do as jam though as I do like the substance of jam, especially apricot, plum, and strawberry.

Here's a link I found: http://www.jamjarshop.com/buy/jellybag/?catid=39

 

[up hill struggle]

Miss Goodbody up the road wants to sample my plums, but I suggested she waits till they're really juicy.

will she repay you by sampling her melons by any chance?

 

[Fnaar]

will she repay you by sampling her melons by any chance?

Undoubtedly, but I think my low-hanging fruit are first on the 'to do' list.

 

[robjh]

First apple yesterday, made all the more tasty by the exhaust fumes on the dual carriageway to Warwick. Almost at crumble time.

 

[Rezillo]

My plums are causing our tree to collapse:

View attachment 50924

but all's well that ends well:

View attachment 50925

Well, the Rezillo roadside plum stall opened for business today at 50p a bag.

Total takings £2. This time next week we'll be millionaires.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

We live by the Great Central Way and every year there is an abundance of blackberries, might have a go at turning some into jam. My boss thinks I am weird for picking them as 'you don't know what has been around them' so I explained that we pick them from as high up as possible so no creature can reach them to do a nasty on them but she likes all of her food clean and pre-packaged.

I learned, while on a walk, that the alpine strawberries I was eating had been urinated on by foxes. It took me a while to figure out that the fox story had been put about by country lovers who wanted to save some for themselves when they next passed. I'm grateful for the rumour but I don't know enough about mushstools to throw caution to the wind.

 

[RWright]

I used to have some secret wild blackberry bush locations but I don't live near them anymore. I have a mountain bike now and will keep my eyes opened a little for new ones now that this thread reminded me of them.

 

[robjh]

We live by the Great Central Way and every year there is an abundance of blackberries.........

I guess there's only one Great Central Way - I remember some good blackberry bushes near the Evesham Road crossing, from my years cycling round that way.

 

[Lullabelle]

I guess there's only one Great Central Way - I remember some good blackberry bushes near the Evesham Road crossing, from my years cycling round that way.

All the locals know about them so you have to be quick to pick, they soon disappear

 

[Archie_tect]

The best place for blackberries that I know are on the old gravel embankments to the railway line as it approaches Leeds, after leaving Woodlesford parallel to the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Whole banksides of bushes that no-one seems to know about.... crumbles, jams, apple and blackberry pies... happy days.

 

[robjh]

The best place for blackberries that I know are on the old gravel embankments to the railway line as it approaches Leeds, after leaving Woodlesford parallel to the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Whole banksides of bushes that no-one seems to know about.... crumbles, jams, apple and blackberry pies... happy days.

Your secret is safe with us.