September 2013 Grocery Challenge

iammumtoone

Billie-jo wrote: »

We have just been to see family and one way back saw lots of ripe blackberries so luckily had an empty ice cream tub in the back so we got picking and it was soon full. They are now freezing ready to be bagged up.

Can you freeze blackberries? We have loads local to me, I have picked quite a few but didn't know you could freeze them, what are they suitable for after being defrosted? I only currently eat them just as they are.

iammumtoone

cross posted with CountingPennies seems i'm not the only one intrigued with freezing them

mrs-moneypenny

tip i was given was pick them when its dry, check them over for blemishes bugs etc then open freeze them on a baking tray once they are frozen you can bag or box them.
TBH i pop mine in a bowl of cold water and give them a swish round after a couple of mins any bugs or dirty bits float off, then i put them on a sheet of kitchen paper to dry slightly before open freezing.
i use mine straight from the freezer in things like pies and crumbles as they cook while the topping is cooking and dont fall apart or go mushy.
HTH

Billie-jo

iammumtoone wrote: »

Can you freeze blackberries? We have loads local to me, I have picked quite a few but didn't know you could freeze them, what are they suitable for after being defrosted? I only currently eat them just as they are.

They freeze brilliantly. I put them in salt water for 5-10 mins to kill off any bugs that may be about, pick out any really squishy ones or bad ones,then carefully rinse, drain and put onto a cloth to soak up some of the water, then tip them onto a tray and open freeze them, once they froze put into bags or tubs whatever you use. You can use them in crumbles & pies. They wont need defrosting in these type of dishes or you could warm some up and serve with ice cream or make a black berry sauce with them. I love them in a crumble with either pears or apples. There's Autumn pudding as well that you could use them in with other fruits.

Billie-jo

Just remembered I sometimes mix them with yogurt for breakfast as well. You could blend some with yogurt and leave some whole to serve with it. Make ice lollies or swirl them into some yogurt or custard and fill a meringue. Think I will need some more blackberries

Cambs85

NSD today! Woohoo!

Still struggling to update signature, anyone else having issues?

Mine should say 3 NSDs!

money_saving_hedgehog

So much for posting everyday to keep me on track, need to try harder to do this, to keep on top, especially as end of month approaches.

Anyway added up all my receipts to date, total spend £111.48/£250. I also have a £7.90 PP in hand for my next Mr T shop.

Will not let me update my signature.

Off to see what I can make for tonight's tea.

zafiro1984

You can also make wine out of blackberries - hic

CountingPennies

Thanks for all the blackberry tips! Gonna send the kids out to pick them since we have had no rain today!

iammumtoone

zafiro1984 wrote: »

You can also make wine out of blackberries - hic

Runs off to google that :)

My budget does not stretch to wine (can't remember the last time I had an alcoholic drink)

EDIT: stopped looking when it said it can taste like port - yuck

Think I might splash out and do some sloe gin this year (if they haven't all been picked already). Does anyone know where you can buy the cheapest gin?