Guest Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 we went hunting for sloes in the woods and couldn't find any but we did find what we think might be wild cherry trees (loads of them!). I don't suppose if anyone could confirm it for me as I'm always a bit wary about foraging for things I'm unsure of. here's a pic, thanks http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2677915&l=031166aefa&id=568396756 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 It definitely looks like the leaves of a prunus variety tree - but there are loads within the genus. Only a few bear the edible fruits - mostly they produce fruit that is only good for the birds! I have an ornamental cherry that produces fruits like that, but they are not edible. Worth keeping an eye on though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 thanks snowy, how will I know if I can use the fruit or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 It rarely swells up and looks like edible cherries - you'd know them if you saw them. Mostly they turn bluey black, but stay quite small and hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 just found this http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/gardenerscorner/trees/wild_cherry.shtml so i think we'll be okay to make some schnapps or cherry brandy with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 p.s. I should explain, we had our little 'food for free' book with us and it says you can make wild cherry brandy but I just wasn't sure if this was a wild cherry or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ooh, great, I didn't think about alcoholic beverages - but of course they would be no different to sloes would they? Happy foraging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew and Alan Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 hi! in our part of France (poitou charentes) people make alcoholic drinks from wild cherry and its called eau du vie. it needs distilling and here its illegal to make but everyone does it! (not us though! not brave enough!) The next farm over from us makes it, but its sooo strong! 40 to 70%!?!! You could turn the cherries in to a wine by adding lemon juice, sugar, water and yeast, leaving it to ferment for a while, strain, bottle and leave to mature! we have made wine from everything! even can use clean vegetable peelings if you are feeling desperate ! we have got celery wine fermenting at the moment, plus its fun and cheap to do! good luck with the brandy! enjoy!! Drew and Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 slight change of topic- we have a couple of wild plum trees in the village -"Ooops, word censored!"ody ever goes near them - nor will try - but they are the best plums i have ever tasted, and i usually stew a load then freeze. must remind myself to invite snowey round when nearly ready as i am sure she will appreciate them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 slight change of topic- we have a couple of wild plum trees in the village -"Ooops, word censored!"ody ever goes near them - nor will try - but they are the best plums i have ever tasted, and i usually stew a load then freeze. must remind myself to invite snowey round when nearly ready as i am sure she will appreciate them Oooh yes please! Just give me a shout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 look what 2 sheds picked today! There's loads more too so we're going back tomorrow to get a few more. We're going to make some wild cherry schnapps/vodka with them. They're too bitter to eat but does anyone know if they'd be any good for anything else, jam or jelly maybe? http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2863408&l=6a6745b823&id=568396756 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 just seen drews post about cherry wine, there's a thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Why not stone them and soak them in a jar with Kirsch? A pretty jar with with 'kirsched cherries' would make a nice hamper filler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 is kirsch expensive? Maybe one for when we're financially stable again nice idea though C xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I make jam with the wild cherries I pick from the woods. Cherry & apple jam is wonderful stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I make jam with the wild cherries I pick from the woods. Cherry & apple jam is wonderful stuff oooooooooooooooooo, could I have the recipe please? I've still got some apples in the freezer from my last years foraging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I'm no expert, I probably do all the wrong things but it works for me I make jam in my bread making machine that has a jam function too. It seems to work with the same amount of jam sugar as there is fruit, so 1lb of fruit, 1lb of sugar. Anyways, I experimented with lots of different fruit combinations last year but this was my favourite. I diced the apple and blasted it a bit in the microwave to soften it first otherwise you just end up with hard chunks of apple, the cherries were stoned then I bung it all in with the sugar and turn it on. An hour later and it's done Rhubarb & ginger was yummy too. Again, cook the fruit a bit first, grate a chunk of fresh ginger and then chuck it in. I tried doing it by cooking it with the ginger whole and whipping it out before I put it into jars but I prefered it grated. I too freeze the freebie fruit from the woods. I walk my dogs there every day so I know it really well and can feed us all puddings for months There's nothing better than cherry & apple jam made with cherries & apples picked there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 sounds good, would you say 50/50 split cherries to apples or 70/30 in favour of cherries? I suppose I could experiment! xxx with the apples I shouldn't need jam sugar, in theory anyway! will try 50/50 first and see how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I can't remember the exact quantities, I'm a 'bit of this, bit of that' chef I guess there was more apple than cherry because it's a constant battle to get the cherries before the birds do so it's easier to have more apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 we've started some cherry schnapps http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2869930&l=ace7475812&id=568396756 but, do you think replacing the strawbs in this recipe with cherries would work? http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/590907 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 going to give this a bash too http://www.wine-making-guides.com/cherry_wine.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
