What to do with elderberries?

Louisa_2 · 22 August 2005 at 7:49PM

Whilst picking wild blackberries, (as per Pal's post- brilliant idea!) I saw loads of ripe elderberries too. I'm not really keen on the idea of elderberry wine (or is it elderflower anyway?), can anyone suggest something else I could do with them please?

Thought about making some cordial as Christmas presents, but 1. Don't know how and 2. Not sure that I don't need elderflowers instead

Any suggestions gratefully received!

se999 · 22 August 2005 at 7:54PM

Just had a look and found this page with pies and jellies aswell as wine etc.

http://members.aol.com/BLaneKY/elderberry.htm

Edit - This page has links to more elderberry recipes that seem a bit clearer, the links are towards the bottom of the page.

http://www.elderberries.com/elderberries.html

henhog · 22 August 2005 at 11:08PM

I looked in my Marguerite Pattern Jam book index under elderberries and she has;
Elderberry and apple jam
elderberry chutney
elderberry jam
elderberry and pear jam
elderberry and quince jam
and elderberry vinegar!

I could type up any recipes if you are interested or you could try to get the book in the library.
Good luck!

Louisa_2 · 23 August 2005 at 9:10AM

Thank you henhog, :A could I have the one for elderberry chutney please? Sounds tasty.

hawhaw · 23 August 2005 at 9:24AM

I stew elderberries and add them to blackberries in pies and crumbles.

henhog · 23 August 2005 at 11:08AM

Hi, The elderberrry chutney recipe is a variation on her apple chutney so I will give you the recipe for the apple chutney and her variation for elderberries.

1 lb onions -weight when peeled and finely chopped
1/2 pint malt vinegar (white)
2 lb cooking apples (weight when peeled and cored)
1 teaspoon pf pickling spices
12 0z soft light brown sugar
40z raisins or any other dried fruit
salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onions and put into half the amount of vinegar and simmer gently for ten mins. Cut the apple into 3/4 inch dice and add to the pan with the rest of the vinegar, the pickling spices (tied in a muslin) the sugar, the dried fruit and a little seasoning. Stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer steadily, stirring from time to time, until the consistency of a thick jam. Remove the bag of pickling spices. Spoon the chutney into hot jars and seal down.

The variation for elderberry chutney is

follow the apple chutney recipe but use 1 lb of elderberries and 1 lb of apples. For a less strong flavour use only 8oz elderberries and 1 1/2 lb of apples. In each case the weight of apples is when they have been peeled and cored.

I haven't tried it, so if any one does make it I'd be very interested to know how it turns out!
Henhog

elona · 23 August 2005 at 11:12AM

I am just trying to make elderberry jam in my breadmaker - first lot turned out runny so hope this does better.

Googled on elderberries and seems they are very good for coughs, colds and flu- put one teaspoon of the jam in a cup and add hot water.

Will try this on my lot this winter.

margaretclare · 23 August 2005 at 2:41PM

Elderberry syrup. Lovely for when you have a cold or sore throat in the winter. It's quite thick and you dilute with hot water, makes a lovely hot soothing and comforting drink. Also full of Vitamin C, like Ribena!

Not sure how to make it. I would guess - cook the elderberries in a little water, strain them through a fine nylon sieve (of course they used a muslin bag from the time I remember it being made when I was a kid in the 1940s). Cook the elderberries, strain, add sugar, bottle for use in the winter. No idea of quantities though - can anyone help?

Aunty Margaret

MrsB_2 · 23 August 2005 at 2:49PM

How about this one Aunty Margaret? Is that what you mean?

http://www.irishsecrets.ie/recipe-secrets/elderberry-syrup.php

Zziggi · 30 August 2005 at 7:38AM

Have found a nice little quite spot full of brambles that no-one else seems to know about. I have been picking the brambles as they ripen and noticed there's a fair amount of elderberries there too.

I thought i'd spend the time picking them if i can think of something that i can use them for. Any suggestions? Not alcohol-related though, we're tea-totallers.

Thanks