Single hen

[HennyPenny]

One of the mums in my class very kindly brought me in a bag full of damsons and I've just spent hours trying to turn them into jam. According to the recipe, as the fruit is cooked slowly, the stones rise to the top and you just skim them off. Well, that sounds like magic, doesn't it?

 

In fact, what happens is that you get the mother of all backaches as you search through the pan, retrieving stones one at a time until you're absolutely certain there aren't any more...and then you find another 5 of the little blighters!

 

To make things worse, I've never actualy tasted a damson so I have no idea if I'll even like the jam!

 

Next time I'll say a polite thank you and pass them on to someone else!

[BeckyBoo]

Can I just say that I had EXACTLY the same problem only a few weeks ago and posted the self same thing! I'd done an enormous pan full of the blighters, I ended up with purple hands and everything as there was no way to do it without getting your hands in there.

It is very nice jam though and if you've got any left (I've got another bag full in the freezer!) then I can also recommend sweet pickled damsons, very delish and you leave the stones in!

 

Mrs B

[Lesley]

.....been there....done that.....

 

Why not make jelly with them? or Damson Cheese (using the puree) - it's so much easier. I love damsons, the flavour is far superior to most plums.

[Blackrocksrock]

I was given some 2 years ago and made chutney - it is still good and we are still eating it! Easier than jam but you have to stone them first.

[Christian]

I used a jelly bag for damson jelly and then a sieve for the jam. It still took ages getting all the stones out

 

Damson jam is my favourite though, it really does taste good.

[jackiepoppies]

No, no, no, nooooo..........just prick 'em with a toothpick, add sugar and brandy, seal and put in a dark cupboard.

 

Once a week shake them.

 

Once a month.....taste ! .......[to see if it needs more sugar ]

 

Strain and bottle for Christmas pressies [if any left!]

 

Jackiex

[Mrs Frugal]

Yep, that's what I'd do too

[Laura007]

dont turn them away!!!!! make some damson gin next time mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[jackiepoppies]

 

That was last years recipe

 

Jackiex

[chickencam]

My gran just used to leave the stones in when she made plum and damson jam, browk teeth all round

[Richard T]

 

Next time I'll say a polite thank you and pass them on to someone else!

 

I had my eye on them for damson wine. Just didn't have the time.

 

 

Richard T (aka Mr HennyPenny)

[Cate in NZ]

Damson vodka , so much easier than jam, and tastes gorgeous. At least that's what I used to do with all my damsons

[Lindy Loo]

Damson vodka , so much easier than jam, and tastes gorgeous. At least that's what I used to do with all my damsons

 

I made some Damson Gin last year which I bottled and gave to all our neighbours at Christmas. Lots of lovely comments about it (well, I know they wouldn't mention if it was rubbish would they?!) I kept a bottle for myself too and it was fabulous! Sadly we didn't have any damsons on our tree so I've missed out this year.

 

How is Rotorua in the spring sunshine Kate? I grew up in Tauranga and a little bit of Kiwi sunshine wouldn't go amiss today!

 

Linda

[ali-s]

My Dad was talking to me about Damson jam at the weekend. Aparrently during the war my Gran would buy Damson Jam from the CO-OP. The jam contained wooden Dansom stones. Gran would warn all the children not to swallow the stones and not to throw them away. The wooden stones were washed and returned to the CO-OP who would send them back to the jam factory. Gran would then get her next jar of Damson jam at a slightly reduced price.

 

Makes you wonder why the factory would put wooden sones in the jam and what on earth the jam was made from if not Dansoms, hence needing the wooden stones