Guest Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 picked a few ripe ones today, still lots of unripe ones so i assume it's early in the BB picking season? anyway, soaked them in some water with some salt and quite a few white maggots crawled out! Are they okay to eat now if we rinse them and get all the maggots off? I didn't soak them for as long when we picked them last year so I dread to think what we might have consumed! If anyone makes a crack about extra protein I'll make you eat the maggots! Think I'll leave them to soak overnight this time. Incidentally, is it early or late in the season to be picking them now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I'm no expert but I went picking some yesterday and there was only one patch on the bridle path where they were ready. A fellow picker said they are always first out there so I guess it's early. Seen LOADS of green ones though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 It's early! Usually its the end of August but I've just got back from my third go - I've got nearly 5lb already!! Really big juicvy ones too. I have to say I don't soak them, they might get a cursory rinse but that's about it I'm hoping to make jam this year as everyone was sick of blackberry and apple last year . That said I've also just nabbed about 10lb of cooking apples - someone on Freecycle was advertising so I got them for nothing and when I parked up yesterday to pick blackberries there was a plastic chair out with a bag and a sign saying "free plums help yourself" So I did! In fact as I was going to take quite a lot I put £1.50 through their door, so, blackberry jam, bramble jelly, apple sauce, and plum jam. I've never made jam before! Might invest in a thermometer after all..... Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spratly0 Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 As the others have said it's early, this means there will be lots more ripening getting ready to pick! I always soak mine overnight in salt water then rinse but i don't eat them fresh/raw i always cook them and they taste YUM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 thanks peeps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 You really had me worried there I thought for a second that "blackberries and maggots" was a recipe title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 You really had me worried there I thought for a second that "blackberries and maggots" was a recipe title I think we may have possibly consumed some last year unwittingly as I didn't soak them for very long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 My blackberries are ripening in the garden and I have already eaten my first batch in a smoothie with bananas. I never soak them, just give them a quick wash - maybe I'll give them a soak from now on and look out for any "extras". Blackberry and maggot smoothie anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 You see Poet said not to say it but I'm going to have to - EXTRA PROTEIN!! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
