foraging day

[old tree man]

I have had a really busy day today firstly collected 10lbs of elderberries, then turned them into wine, used the rest of my dried elderflowers and turned them into wine, collected 5lb of blackberries and turned half into jam and added the other half to some rhubarb and made crumble, then this afternoon made some pizza dough for tomorrows tea and now i'm waiting on my bread to rise, so i am shattered i'm going to have a bath and read my book in peace..............phew
i thought you would like to see the tree my elderberries come from they were so full they were touching the floor in places,

[Silver Ether]

Awwh lovely berries .... I had agood one too but not quite as busy as yours We got 6pound apples, 4 pounds of tettenhall dick pears they are sitting in a jelly bag draining the pears that is for jelly... another three and half of sloes .. they are all pricked and in suger for overnight... 3 punds of damson prepared for wine will deal with tomorrow and about another 4 pounds waiting to be done for a chutney I want to dry and vodka ... couldn't finish of as I had to go and care for my in-laws and now its time to put my feet up ... Enjoy your bread dear...

[old tree man]

great stuff i bet most of the isher's are busy bees over the next few weeks

[123sologne]

What an elderberry Tree!!!! Marvelous!
I did some elderberry cordial last week-end. I may pick more this week-end or blackberries or apples, or maybe all of them!! Lots of brewing and cooking indeed to be done right now
Enjoy your bath/book & bread, maybe not all at once

[Millymollymandy]

I took it easy and ate an ice cream whilst sitting by my sad looking pond (water level is low and it's murky!) cos I am so knackered from all the harvesting and watering. Thank god for freezers - I plan to do some jelly and cordial making next week when it's due to rain.

But 10lbs of elderberries!!! Took me a whole afternoon to prep 600g for the freezer.

[old tree man]

I made myself a berry picker, its a few 3" pins into an old hammer handle and thats it it makes taking berries off stalks minutes instead of ages.....

[Millymollymandy]

I use my fingers cos there are so many gone over wrinkly ones or not ripe enough ones that have to not be picked off the stems. Don't really fancy them in my crumble.

[old tree man]

purple finger like me

[Silver Ether]

purple finger like me

well you can always pick a forager out in a crowd ....

[old tree man]

purple finger like me

well you can always pick a forager out in a crowd ....

i wonder if the doctors have any history like my white finger

[Millymollymandy]

You should see my fingernails and the state of my right thumb and forefinger throughout the summer! The worst culprit is pinching out tomato shoots as that really stains and you can't get rid of it. Then add in blackcurrants, beetroot, blackberries and elderberries , and sometimes a nice red from redcurrants and raspberries. The only time I'm bothered is the rare occasions I go out when I have to spend ages with a nail brush, nail file and lemon juice.