Damsons?? What to do?

singlehouseholder

Went for nice bike ride last night, found some tree's that had what looked like little plums/apricots on them. Some were green, some were apricot colour and some were plum colour. If I go and raid loads what can I do with them. Done search on here for damsons but nothing come up. Asked Jeeves and he brought a few recipes up, but tried and tested are much better, also tries and tested ms recipes are the best. Anyone give me some suggestions?
Much obliged.

chloe99_2

there's a thread about 2 pages back that I was just looking at on damsons but it might have moved somewhere else now!!!

damson jam is really fantastic and lasts at least 12 months - in fact it's so good and you can't really buy it I'd probably do that rather than make puddings etc

Bargain_Rzl

Damson gin ... Not that I actually know how to make it, but it tastes yummy

Christmasshopper

My local farm shop sells Damson & Sloe Gin Chutney. It sounds delicious but I haven't bought it because it is so expensive. It sounds like a nice way to use free damsons & used sloes from the homemade sloe gin. Does anyone have a recipe?

in_my_wellies

Damson jam is the same recipe as plum jam. You may have more luck if you search that. Raw plums and damsons go black when frozen so don't look nice. I bottle them and they last all year, if they don't get eaten.

Ted_Hutchinson

Don't forget the bottling option.
I've been re-using jars & lids that previously held peppers/olives/gerkins/cherries that I bought in Lidl's. If you run them through the dishwasher and leave the lids off for a while you can sniff test them to see if you can still smell the previous contents.

I use the cold water bath method, I prepare the fruit as I would for stewing and sweeten it to taste. Then I fill the jars and put the lids on but not screwed down tight. I put the jars in the boiler (a preserving pan would do as well) and fill it up with cold water to the neck of the jars. (it helps if all the jars are the same size) I set the on switch to the lowest possible and leave it for 90 minutes to rise to sterilising point. (I've a termometer with it marked on) They then stay at that temperature for 10mins and I tighten the lids and store them for use next year.

If you haven't a boiler with a thermostat you may need to watch the temperature rise every 15mins to check it isn't getting too hot to quickly but other than that the time it's in the boiler isn't wasted as you can be getting the next batch ready. The advantage of bottling is that you can use the fruit straight from the jar, so it's handy for when we're in the caravan or travelodging. It also means you haven't got the freezer clogged up with 20+ bags of stewed fruit. Once the fruit is in the jar it can be stored in the garage or top of the larder and is there for use a presents or raffle prizes and because you've used a freebie preserving jar you aren't bothered if the jar doesn't get returned. Kilner jars used to cost a bomb and if you ever gave a jar to a relative/friend you never got the jar or lid back.There are other methods of preserving fruit but I find using the water bath is easiest for me.

tranmererovers

Oh

Damson Jam
Damson Crumble
(treat both as you would plums)

Also Damson Brandy / Damson Vodka and Damson Gin are all to be recommended

sylphraven

Can anyone please give me some ideas (preferably with instructions/recipes) with what to do with a HUGE bag of frozen damsons, we're talking carrier bag size.

My moms had them sitting in the bottom of her freezer for ages & wants to throw them away, but that really isnt the OS way now is it, lol.

Any help really appreciated.

Blacksheep1979

GIN - similar to sloe gin. Or wine or jam etc.

newlywed

My mum used to make Damson pie - just like a plum pie but with Damson's - yum!

Plum_Pie

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

GIN - similar to sloe gin. Or wine or jam etc.

Can also use vodka if gin makes you maudlin (!)

Sorbet.

Pie filling with apples (1 part damsons, 2 parts apple)

Coulis (ie lumpy sauce to go with other puddings esp ice cream. Freeze in small quantities and use as necessary)

Compote esp if you have other berries (Freezable as above).