The Preserver's Year

Natty68

Aaah thanks for that Valli, maybe it was Belladonna that is growing outside.. DH said they are similar and he couldn't tell the difference, he did say that if the birds eat the fruit then it isn't poisonous. Bit late though if I want the flowers now..lol

Ok take that back, it isn't Belladonna either..lol. It definately looks like we have Elderflower, although I do have a Sambucca plant growing in the garden that has loads of flowers. Maybe I shall use that instead, better to be safe than sorry..

thriftlady_2

Natty don't assume that because birds are eating berries then they are not poisonous. Birds eat yew berries without hram and yew is very poisonous;)

Penelope_Penguin

Natty68 wrote: »

Ok take that back, it isn't Belladonna either..lol. It definately looks like we have Elderflower, although I do have a Sambucca plant growing in the garden that has loads of flowers. Maybe I shall use that instead, better to be safe than sorry..

Do you mean sambucus That's elder Sambuca is an Italian liqeuer

Penny. x

Valli

Anybody got any elderflower recipes please?

Penelope_Penguin

Valli wrote: »

Anybody got any elderflower recipes please?

Elderflower cordial thread

Elderflower champagne recipe (there are loads more on Google )

Penny. x

Valli

I figured I could google them but I thought some posters on here might have tried and trusted recipes IYSWIM

many thanks...

Gigervamp

Here's the recipe that we used to make eldeflower champagne.

3 gallons of water
4 Tbs white wine vinegar
4 lemons
4 kilos of sugar
About 20 elderflower heads.

I haven't got the method written down in my notebook but from memory, we put the flower heads, vinegar and juice from the lemons into a fermenting bucket. Heated the water and dissolved the sugar in it, then added that to the bucket. Left it for a few days before straining it into sterilised 2 litre coke bottles.
We had to make sure that we let out the gas from each bottle every day. We made 2 batches and that made about 16 2 litre bottles of very potent brew! :beer:

Our elders are just starting to get the flower buds on, so it'll be a while yet before we can make this years batch.

rainbowsprite

Have just made my first ever batch of rhubarb jam :j

Even although it was not how I had planned to spend the evening! My dad asked me to get him some sugar so that he could make a batch. Yes you guessed it! I somehow ended up the one making the jam :rolleyes:

It looks ok, didn't take long to make and got half a dozen jars for less than approx 40p a jar. Which is a considerable saving compared to shop bought

Just a pity I don't like the stuff :rotfl:

allIcouldwishfor

Anyone made rhubarb jam in a tefal jam maker?

Mine's due to arrive any day now and there's a house a few doors up selling rhubarb for 60p a pound. I think it would be rude not to try it out!

Frugalista

Just bought a super little book on Jams and Preserves from the charity shop :T. As well as all the usual recipes there are some really different ones, such as pickle made from watermelon rind; strawberry & banana jam; beetroot & chive jelly; kiwi fruit & apple honey; papaya jelly; curried dried fruit; elderberry jam; and paradise jam - amongst others.

If anyone fancies any of the recipes I will post them - or if you have any unusual ingrediants, I may have a recipe for them .