blackberry picking

Gigervamp

I remember my dad once made a gallon of wine using a fresh fruit salad that hadn't been eaten and had started to ferment in the fridge.
He bottled it and left it to mature for several months, but when he tried it, it tasted horrible, so he emptied the bottles down the sink.
One day a year or so later, he came across a bottle that he'd missed when getting rid of it and decided to try it again.
He said it was absolutely delicious and he was gutted that he'd thrown the rest away!

notenoughcash

This may be the drink of christmas 2009 then by the sounds of it gigervamp. I've always been tempted but never bothered as seemed too much effort. But having started and really paid attention to how it all works I think it may well be worth the effort, and if you keep it up and get a supply going it would be great. Would love to hear how yours come on 2cats1kid, and will keepposting on the progress of mine too

klare_2

I have now made about 30 pots of jam, mainly blackberry and a few damson chucked in...although now i have got the hang of this jam making I am pretty much jam-ing anything that doesnt sit still!..we have no fresh fruit in the bowl anymore! oh except for the two bags of oranges that i but as a whoops from the co-op last night, 30p each for 6 large oranges in each bag.
Have also got about 3 litres of blackberry gin on the go so its going to be a very merry christmas for some people at least.
Im hoping to go raid an apple tree shortly, i heard about a lady that is trying to give away her cooking apples..so i figure as part of my duty to the community then I should go and help ..
my elderberries have just started to ripen so will be having a go at some alcohol stuff, some jam stuff, poss some coridal and a recipe for a chutney you can make from them too.. apparently known as countrymans caviar! ( we have a lot of elderberries around here!)
My hubby is getting really good at de-jaming the kitchen ( isnt it amazing how far that sticky stuff flies when you are having fun!) and isnt tutting or rolling his eyes quite so much these days ..i feel he is coming to the point of acceptance that he is simply either going to have to build me a bigger kitchen or move out into the shed
All in all its been fab fun!

2cats1kid

LOL Klare. My DH comes in from work and either sighs with relief or rolls his eyes and says "not MORE berries". Before anyone jumps on me for taking more than my share, there are still plenty. There are maybe 3 or 4 of us picking them and there is a huge common that is heaving with them. The council chappy came round with his trimmer a couple of days ago and cut back nettles and the outside bit of some of the bushes, so now we can get to ones we couldn't get to previously.

Having said that, we had blackberry and apple crumble on Monday and still lots left for tonight (too stuffed last night to even think about it!) and I made blackberry oat bars yesterday and they are sooo yummy. They will be nice with other fruit too, so I can see them becoming a regular event.

Purple_Sparkles

We'll done to all of you who've made stuff so far. You've inspired me to go and get the buckets and go picking. I did last year and the other day tasted for the first time the blackberry/elderberry wine I made last year and WOW it knocked my socks off! It's gorgeous.

I'm also hankering after apple & blackberry crumble but the heavens have just opened so I may have to wait a while until the rain stops.

The blackberry & yoghurt ice cream sounds divine too..... if only I had some blackberrys!

maman

My sadly overgrown garden (plan to redesign in coming winter) is overrun with brambles and therefore lovely crop of blackberries. I read through posts earlier for advice (BIG thanks to all) and have picked a huge mixing bowl full which are now happily soaking in water with a slurp of vinegar. I'll open freeze mine for puds when friends are around. That's the only time I allow us puddings otherwise we'd be pigging out every day!

Aril

For those who are wanting to so something other than jam or crumble I have discovered a recipe for blackberry chutney. Link for the recipe is below:
http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516111
Aril

ShelBell

Inspired by you all, I took my son out foraging today! unfortunately he was put off by the prickles, and I was put off by the bugs lol. Still, got enough to make a bottle of blackberry vodka to put away for Christmas presents!

Got them in the vinegar water now, to draw out the critters

There were loads here not ripe yet so going to take hubby next time and let him do the hard work.

webitha

oooooo not fair all the bushes round here that i know about the balckberries are still red

CoD_2

i'm freezing as they're collected,will then make blackberry jelly. have 3kg so far just from the garden (they grow amongst our roses)