Blackberries

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I picked some blackberry last year around time but many were sour and a little bitter. Is there any trick to pick the sweet ones?

GrillMonkey

BramleyHouse wrote: »

Hi,

I have got lots of blackberries but dont know what to do with them!!!!

Any ideas??

Ferment them I'm making Blackberry mead and Blackberry and Elderberry Wine :beer:

Lookingtothefuture

Hello all you MSE! :money:

I am hoping that you will all have some great ideas about what I can do with blackberries.

The playing field where I take my little one to the park is literally bursting at the seams with them, we have today picked our first tub for a crumble for Sunday. We are going to go back tomorrow to pick some more (before the birds eat them all) and I am going to attempt a jar or two of jam.

Any other suggestions/recipes would be gratefully received! Thanks guys! xxx

tanith

Open freeze some so you have a stock for the Winter months... I sprinkle some on my cereal they are usually quite sweet, all the usual of course, apple and blackberry pies , mixed with strawberries and raspberries for a summer pudding..

Pooky

I shove them in muffins, give them a good bash up when stiring them in and they're wonderful.

I also add them to rum (plus an equal amount of sugar) and leave to sit for a few months - gives a gorgeous flavoured rum and some boozy fruit to pop in a crumble or flan.

I always soak mine over night in salt water to rid them off the creepy crawlies, quite shocking what comes out sometimes.

floyd

Yep definately soak overnight in the sink with a few tablespoons of salt to get the beasties out.

This is my favourite recipe using blackberries http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/recipe-blackberry-and-apple-jelly-30 as it is the perfect jelly to use on scones for a cream tea and can also be used to pep up casseroles and stews or sauces

Sessie

I have a huge blackberry bush growing over the back fence too (and both my neighbours!). I actually went to see both of them today to ask if they were going to use them and if not, cheekily, could I come round and pick them and both said yes!! So that's tomorrow morning sorted!

I make mainly crumbles and jam, adding cooking apples my mum grows but I also just stew the fruit so I can mix it into rice pudding and custard etc.. in the winter months. I have 2 year old twins so any fruit-based dessert is both healthy for them and eaten completely, unlike other more expensive pre-made kids' meals.

You can also use the stewed fruit to put on top of porridge on a cold morning.

x

ariba10

I have been picking Blackberries for many a year, but the current crop is the best I have ever seen.

Lookingtothefuture

Tanith... your suggestion is on the list. I froze some one year and they came in quite handy when I had to make a quick dessert one day!:T

Pooky... What a great idea! just an ordinary muffin mix? like blueberry muffins but with blackberrys? fab thanks!:T

Floyd... thanks for the link. I'll try that out too!:T

Gosh I am going to be busy! but it's all good... I can stock our freezer up for the next few months. I am sure you have all noticed how food is getting more expensive so this will hopefully help us out a bit!

Any more suggestions gratefully received!:j

Lookingtothefuture

Sessie! ... How on earth do you find time to do anything with 2 year old twins? Wow! I am impressed! I struggle sometimes with my one who is only 7 months old! You have my admiration immediately!:beer:
Thanks for the idea of stewing the fruit and freezing it for winter times. I LOVE porridge (its tasty and cheap!) and I would love to give this a go. ALso I LOVE rice pudding so the same applies! This year I am going to attempt making my own rice pudding in the slow cooker. FInegrs crossed it turns out OK! :T

Ariba10... I have to agree, I have gotten some HUGE ones today... I was quite disappointed that I didn't take a bigger tub! :rotfl:I have however loaded my buggy up with three tubs for tomorrows trip to the park, so swings first then when she is worn out enough not to kick off I shall get picking!