Foraging Challenge

Ken68

Sell on, I suppose, Ali. Couldn't guarantee the quality so almost certainly for jam.
Maybe a commune or an enterprising unemployed group.
Lots of gangmasters around here, they organize the labour for the farms.

Footpather

Not really foraging as such but I was picking redcurrants in the garden yesterday. Didn't think there was many on it as it's got a bit straggly. Ended up with about 2lbs in total. Anyone got an easy recipe for these, jelly, jam, whatever?

A couple of years ago I was walking down a canal towpath that isn't very well used and came across yellow plums (sweet), red plums (sour), pears (not ripe at the time), apples and blackberries. We said we will have to go back down there this year and see what we can find and go prepared with bags/boxes.

Ken68

Yes, now is the time. I have two nature reserves nearby, one 70 acres both within 15minutes bike ride.
Harvested a few blackberries yesterday, should be in full swing in a week or two.
Not into sugar Footpather, so can't help., usually freeze or dry everything.

Fishcake_Random

Hello,
I could use some advice on some fruit I found. I think they are sloes but looking for a second opinion pictures are here.
Thank you
xxx

Ken68

Looks like it Fishcake, pick after frost. Sour taste. Steeping in sugar or another fruit juice would is an option. See you are Amish so mixing with gin.lol

agreenmess

Hello all, I've managed to find a red crab tree which I'm pondering foraging, went past it a couple of days ago and looks like noone has taken anything from it and loads of fruit was rotting on the floor! Just need to find myself a suitable step ladder lol

Gahhhh I thought I would be sensable and ask if I could pick the tree (due to me not paying the rates in that area) and they stated NO due to them being decorative only! Could I pick the fruit on the floor or would that be awful! Feel quite deflated now as probably could of picked them if I didn't ask

Ken68

They are ripe, so an accidental brush against the tree should dislodge some.

Butterfly_Brain

DH brought half a carrier bag of blackberries, half a bag of walnuts (which will be swapped with local greengrocer for some pickling onions) and a bag full of damsons home from work yesterday and we spotted six beech nut trees and sweet chestnuts close to us and lots of blackberries, but neither are quite ready, so we are going out this weekend for a good forage.
Our next door neighbour has just knocked while I was typing this and she has given me a large bag full of Victoria plums, we will eat some and I will make some into pies or tarts.

I know it is not foraging but I counted 6 pumpkins today and 4 butternut squash in the garden, that is from just one seed each this is the first time that I have grown them so I am really pleased.

russetred

Anyone else foraging for wild mushrooms? So far we have got 10lb of mixed chanterelles, ceps and even a beefsteak fungus. Lovely fried for breakfast, or garlicky on toast and of course cream of mushroom soup. A new one on me this year was to try fresh cep and parma ham lasagne absolutely gorgeous and really easy to make.

elaine241

Hi russetred just found this thread! The field mushrooms in my area were very early 2nd week in August. I have found a few boletes in our fields also jews ear, chicken of the woods and beef steak although havent eaten the last three. I am always on the look out for different fungi although I am learning to id them I am not always sure/brave enough to eat even though I am pretty sure I am right.
I grew up picking field mushrooms so usually stick to these. Plenty of magics around here but I leave them who need them!!
I am also regularly foraging blackberries, crab apples, plums, and any feral apples I spot.