Looking forward to foraging

Poosmate

OK just been out and all the mushrooms have disappeared! Is that because it's dark or is it more likely that someone else has foraged them?

They were growing on the remains of an old tree stump next to my house. Is that an indication of whether they are edible or not?

Thanks

Poo

TravellingAbuela

reddyman wrote: »

Is it just me or are the blackberries smaller this year? I've seen loads of fully ripe ones which are really small...

Where I pick my blackberries (out in the countryside) I would say they are about the same size as usual (fairly small). But, across from my daughter's house, there are the odd few bushes and the blackberries are twice the size of the ones I pick. They are on a piece of land not far from a row of houses and my suspicion is they are cultivated ones, now left to grow wild. So I guess where you pick determines the size of the blackberry! Well that's my opinion anyway!

buddys_mum

Poosmate wrote: »

OK just been out and all the mushrooms have disappeared! Is that because it's dark or is it more likely that someone else has foraged them?

They were growing on the remains of an old tree stump next to my house. Is that an indication of whether they are edible or not?

Thanks

Poo

I wouldnt pick any that are growing on tree stumps myself. Mushrooms and toadstools, i am extremly carful with picking.

hazel nut are similar to cob nuts, and i believe that they can be eaten green.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/08/features.recipes

Orange_King

Was out for the second time blackberry picking and managed to get about 7lbs to add to a similar haul on the first occasion. Some real fat juicy ones but mainly small ripe berries.

Now the shout out to get everyones spare jam jars!

Don't you just hate the larvae wriggling about on the berries.....

buddys_mum

Funny how everyone says that they had jars yesterday if i had of asked.

I get the curry sauce from either tesco or asda for 5p, empty the sauce ( i dont like it) and then use the jars.

MountainView_2

Ooh, sloe gin? That's a new one on me, looks very interesting . I make (well my BF does really), sloe chutney which is flipping amazing. We are planning to pick a huge amount of sloes this year as the chutney runs out pretty quick.


I'm also planning of trying to grab some hazel nuts this year. I say “planning” because I plan the same thing every year, but I never seem to get their in time and the squirrels nab them before me. Literally all gone over night lol.


I really want to try mushrooms foraging, but like another poster mentioned, I've not done it before and don't have the confidence not to kill myself with the wrong ones lol.


I will be having a go at making meadowsweet champagne soon. Me and my BF had a go at making nettle beer, but it turned into vinegar. Has anyone here made successful meadowsweet 'champagne'?

buddys_mum

MountainView wrote: »

Ooh, sloe gin? That's a new one on me, looks very interesting . I make (well my BF does really), sloe chutney which is flipping amazing. We are planning to pick a huge amount of sloes this year as the chutney runs out pretty quick.

I'm also planning of trying to grab some hazel nuts this year. I say “planning” because I plan the same thing every year, but I never seem to get their in time and the squirrels nab them before me. Literally all gone over night lol.

I really want to try mushrooms foraging, but like another poster mentioned, I've not done it before and don't have the confidence not to kill myself with the wrong ones lol.

I will be having a go at making meadowsweet champagne soon. Me and my BF had a go at making nettle beer, but it turned into vinegar. Has anyone here made successful meadowsweet 'champagne'?

Never heard of meadowsweet champagne, sounds like it would be expensive if bought in the shops.

TravellingAbuela

MountainView wrote: »

Ooh, sloe gin? That's a new one on me, looks very interesting . I make (well my BF does really), sloe chutney which is flipping amazing. We are planning to pick a huge amount of sloes this year as the chutney runs out pretty quick.

***********************************************

Hi Mountain View - I have accumulated quite a few recipes using sloes, including sloe gin, sloe and apple jelly (mmmm!) sloe chutney and yesterday, for the first time, I made sloe cordial. It was just to use up last year's sloes left in the freezer and it's really very nice (but prefer sloe gin!!) Have a look on the sloe.biz website for ideas. I too shall be busy picking them over the next month or so.

MountainView_2

buddys_mum wrote: »

Never heard of meadowsweet champagne, sounds like it would be expensive if bought in the shops.

Now that gives me a new money making idea heehee .......

'MountainView's Meadowsweet Moonshine' - coming soon to a Harrods near you :rotfl:

MountainView_2

Hi Mountain View - I have accumulated quite a few recipes using sloes, including sloe gin, sloe and apple jelly (mmmm!) sloe chutney and yesterday, for the first time, I made sloe cordial. It was just to use up last year's sloes left in the freezer and it's really very nice (but prefer sloe gin!!) Have a look on the sloe.biz website for ideas. I too shall be busy picking them over the next month or so.

Hi TravellingAbuella ,

Sloe and apple jelly sounds lush! You are making my mouth water Thanks for that website, looks brilliant. I'm near the coast and I've noticed the sloes seem to be ready here a little earlier than in other parts of the country that I've seen them, but being on the coast we don't normally get the frosts as quickly, so never know when the best time to pick them is.