The Preserver's Year

ditsykitchen

I went out a couple of days ago to pick apples for cider making, but there weren't many left on the trees - looks like someone else had the same idea! What can I do with 20-30 small apples?

moments_of_sanity

ditsykitchen wrote: »

I went out a couple of days ago to pick apples for cider making, but there weren't many left on the trees - looks like someone else had the same idea! What can I do with 20-30 small apples?

I was hoping someone was going to answer this as I have apples left over and no room in the freezer! :eek:

I am about to try and make some blackberry jam, I have the jam sugar and blackberries, do I need to add pectin or will there be enough in the blackberries? Sorry, first year of jam making and no idea what I am doing!

Also, does anyone make tomato and chilli chutney, I have a large glut of tomatoes and some lazy chilli (the sort that you buy in jars), does anyone have recipes they would be happy to pass on?

Many thanks

annie123

Chilli jam using toms, I make it every year.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=54308725&postcount=591

sopranolmu

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

My DD and I picked 3 kilos at the weekend, they are in the woods but on a footpath, it looked like no one had picked any. We must have left another 25 kilos worth:eek:

I have frozen them at the minute as I only have castor sugar and no pectin so until I get some pennies they will have to stay there. As soon as I am able I will be making blackberry jam

Oooh do you have a recipe for blackberry jam? Or does anyone? I love blackberries, but we're getting a bit bored of crumbles. hehe! No mention of blackberry jam in my jam recipe book! :eek:

moments_of_sanity

sopranolmu wrote: »

Oooh do you have a recipe for blackberry jam? Or does anyone? I love blackberries, but we're getting a bit bored of crumbles. hehe! No mention of blackberry jam in my jam recipe book! :eek:

In the post that Annie very kindly put a link to, there is a strawberry jam recipe, I do the same for blackcurrant but I don't put the lemon juice in mine

Rachyk

I'm going to make my first attempt at chilli jam soon so am looking to buy a thermometer, there's some cheapish ones on amazon, but I'm not sure if they'll be any good though?! Does anyone have any advice for me to help with buying a good one? Is more expense worth it?

sKiTz-0

I have never bothered with one. I find the spoon and plate thing more than adequate and works every time. Test for setting point by putting a small plate in the freezer, when you are ready then take it out and blob a small spoonfull of the jam from the pan on it and leave for a few seconds, then push it gently with your finger; if it has started to set a little and has a skin then you are good to jar it up.

suzybloo

Lakeland do a jam thermometer for around £7 I can recommend that one, however I would not recommend the one that is a probe, this one is clearer. I have had much better results using one. Good luck!

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/8776/Preserving-Thermometer

ruis72

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

I was hoping someone was going to answer this as I have apples left over and no room in the freezer! :eek:

I am about to try and make some blackberry jam, I have the jam sugar and blackberries, do I need to add pectin or will there be enough in the blackberries? Sorry, first year of jam making and no idea what I am doing!

Also, does anyone make tomato and chilli chutney, I have a large glut of tomatoes and some lazy chilli (the sort that you buy in jars), does anyone have recipes they would be happy to pass on?

Many thanks

I'm currently having a go at blackberry and chilli jam and the recipe recommends the use of pectin hth

thenanny2die4

From the help I received on another thread, I would highly recommend the Elizabeth David recipe for Bramble Jelly, posted by Seakay. I had no idea it was possible to make jelly without a jelly bag or muslin but this was brilliant; just took a bit of time and effort.

I shall definitely use this method again for blackberries.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4751376