What to do with elderberries?

ChocClare

You can make a really wonderful syrup with them for coughs and colds (antiviral) or a tincture for the same purpose.

Don't eat them raw as too many will give you a very upset stomach.

Fruball

QUICK TIP - the best way to get them off the stems is to run a fork down the stem and it will knock the berries off without damaging or covering your fingers in juice!

Uniscots97

Thank you everyone for your help, I had visions of poisoning myself!!! I just need to decide what recipe to use now.

soozywooz

I've made a syrup for coughs and colds and also shoved a load in a bottle of rum with some sugar in the hopes of a passable drink later in the year.

Chloris

They are elderberries! My children eat them raw. I rinse them and throw them into natural yogurt and banana with honey for breakfast. I also put a hand full into apple crumble. I have frozen some for the winter. They have large pips which I don't have a problem with but you couldn't use them for jam. Enjoy them!

Uniscots97

soozywooz wrote: »

I've made a syrup for coughs and colds and also shoved a load in a bottle of rum with some sugar in the hopes of a passable drink later in the year.

do they need to be cooked first before putting them in the rum or other alcohol?

floyd

Don't eat or use any that are green as they will make you ill

ChocClare

unixgirluk wrote: »

do they need to be cooked first before putting them in the rum or other alcohol?

No, not at all - just rinse, weigh, and either

a) cover in alcohol and leave in a cool dark place for one month, stirring occasionally, to make a tincture for medicinal use (strain the fruit off and bottle the juice) or

b) add sugar (half the weight of elderberries) and alcohol to make elderberry gin/vodka/rum. Leave in a dark place, stirring occasionally. This really needs to sit for a few months - again, strain off the fruit (which you can then use to make fortified wine if you're REALLY keen).

Trinny

Hi There all

YOu can use elderberries mixed with blackberries or apples and stewed to make crumble filling or pie filling. Use small amounts and they wont over power the other stewed fruit.

They freeze really well too - and can be used from frozen so if you have a bag in the freezer you can add a handfull to any stewed fruit and use them this way.

Also you can make great elderberry sorbet with them - just google for the recipe - i think HFW does one.

Best Wishes all

Trin

rosie383

I have seen lots of these, and only found out the other day what they were. I can't wait to go and pick some now, so I can make a jelly or sorbet or stick them in the freezer.