Newbie Bramble Berry Question

Rubyblossom

Hi I am sure this question will seem silly to you guys.

I am getting my debts under control and have, been reading some of these is ways.

Anyway I was at my Dads earlier and removing son large weeds around a pond that has been left. I noticed on the brambles some berries. My Dad had Plum trees and a cooking Apple tree that he doesn't get the fruit from anymore. He has always said we can pick it and take it, so I know he would be ok with the berries too. He also said I can make a veg plot in his garden (it is massive).

How do I know when to pick then, and any ideas what to do? A crumble perhaps, I have never made jam, any tips?

Thanks "

building_with_lego

Pick as many as you can and stick them into a bowl of water for half an hour or so- this lets and bugs float away from the fruit so you can skim them off and put them back outside.

My favourite thing to do with blackberries is stick them into a litre bottle with a little sugar, maybe half as much again, and top it up with cheap vodka. Let it all sit in a cupboard for a month or so before straining off the berries and enjoying the taste of summer

Crumble topping is easy to make- equal quantities of butter, sugar and flour then twice as much of oats- mix it all together and stick it on top of whatever fruit you have! It also keeps well in the freezer so you can make crumbles with any seasonal fruit.
Enjoy

Floss

Or once you've got rid of any beasties, pop them into a polybag & freeze them, to add to apple crumble through the winter

Runnerduck

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/4892/blackberry-and-apple-cobbler.aspx This Recipe is a favorite with my family, it's delicious and will keep in the fridge for a couple of days if there is any left over

babyshoes

To know if fruit is ripe, start with your eyes - do they look ripe? Most fruits change colour so look at the bush or tree to find ones that have changed colour the most - there will almost always be some at different stages of ripeness to compare.

Next, feel them - are they soft? Obviously this doesn't work with apples etc, but soft fruits should feel fairly soft. If they squish at a gentle touch, they may be over ripe - pick gently and use up immediately. These are often best for eating as you go!

Do they pick easily? Ripe fruit should come off with a gentle tug, and maybe an upward twist - you shouldn't be pulling hard.

Finally, taste the fruit. If it is ripe, it should be flavourful and not too sour - though some fruits are naturally a bit sour, most shouldn't make you pucker up too much!

Use as suggested above, or open freeze and bag up for use later in the year. Frozen fruit can be used for jam later - you will find loads of advice and recipes for jam both on this forum and online generally.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about foraging, even if just in an overgrown garden. Enjoy!

Bigjenny

This jam recipe covers Blackberries, Plums and Strawberries, , have also made Apple and Blackberry using half apples.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11750/angelas-flexible-jam-recipe

Rubyblossom

Awww thank you so much everyone for your help and ideas. Going on
Friday so will have a go at picking the berries eeek!

What do you guys use to freeze things in, freezer bags or can I recycle things to use? Can you tell how new I am to OS!

Will let you know how I get on!

gayle1

ice cream tubs are fab for freezing reading with intrest as ill pick some tues when mine are back 2 school

Bigjenny

I find it best to open freeze berries, i.e. in a single layer, when solid put a into bags or plastic containers, then you can take out just what you need.

booter

For smaller amounts (or to fit better in the freezer ) I have re-used margarine tubs and plastic takeaway containers. Just make sure you label them (permanent marker/Sharpie) - although berries are relatively easy to identify, it's a pita to keep removing lids to have a peek at what's in there (and quite annoying when you can't actually identify what it might be )