4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Aga n Chickens]

We have a small rowan tree in the garden and the berries are just starting to turn.

 

I was wondering if anyone had made rowan jelly to serve with game etc ?

 

Would I need to add an apple or 2 to help the flavour ?

 

If I manage to make a batch of jelly and it tastes OK, would it be safe to forrage for wild rowan berries ?

 

I'm sure that the wild birds take most of the ripe berries, so assume that picking them in the wild is not restricted like picking wild flowers.

 

Any help will be gratefully received.

 

Kind regards,

 

Christine

[The Dogmother]

I always make rowan and apple jelly (you can add rosemary too if you like), it is a lovely colour and always goes down a treat in my Christmas parcels.

[Aga n Chickens]

Thank you Claret.

 

I hadn't thought about adding rosemary....sounds wonderful

 

Last year I managed to root pots of cuttings from an old rosemary bush that had turned woody at the base and looked as if it was on the way out. Now I have mini rosemary plants all round my raised beds to help to put off the carrot flies.....they are also woody enough to deter the odd snail and slug

 

Pitty the apples aren't ready yet, otherwise it would only be the sugar that hadn't grown in my garden.

 

Kind regards,

 

Christine

[Guest]

just freeze the berries til the apples are ready

[Aga n Chickens]

Hello Poet.

 

Thanks for the tip about freezing.

 

I only have eating apples in my garden, but next door to MIL they have 5 bramley trees and the owner never picks the apples they just let them drop off and the wasps take over .

 

If I forrage for more berries when we go for long walks and freeze as I go, I'll see if I can blag a bag or 2 of the bramleys when they are ready for picking.

 

Looks like I'll need to start saving lots of small jars over the next couple of months ready for a rather large batch of rowan, apple and rosemary jelly

 

Kind regards,

 

Christine

[The Dogmother]

I go hedgerowing and freeze what I can't use immediately. I can also find lots of wild apples to go in the jellies.

[Guest]

I've got a rowan tree in the garden so will give this a go too I think, I know where there are several wild apple trees too

 

aga, ask for jars on freecycle or ask neighbours, you'll be inundated in no time!

[Alis girls]

Are the Rowan berries the orange/ red ones. I think we have one is it also known as mountain ash? Dont worry wont be using any berries I dont know are safe

[Guest]

this is the one in my garden, if this helps...

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2930365&l=92917cd0ce&id=568396756

 

mine aren't ripe yet and the tree has previously been hidden from view so I'm not sure but I think the berries go orange and then red

 

yes, it also known as moutain ash I think 'sorbus' is the latin name!? If I recall, mine is sorbus 'turkish delight' I think

[Guest]

just checked, it's sorbus eastern promise! I was close!

[The Dogmother]

The ripe berries can be either orangey red or yellow. The red ones make nicer jelly.

 

 

 

Here's an excellent recipe:

 

Rowan Berry Jelly

 

1 lb Rowan berries (stalks removed).

1 lb cooking or crab apples (leave peel on and cut into quarters).

1 1/2 pints of water

1 1/2 lbs sugar

 

1. Wash the berries and quarter the apples and place in a heavy bottomed saucepan.

 

2. Cover with the water and bring to the boil. Simmer (covered) for 25 minutes.

 

3. Strain through a jelly bag, muslin cloth or clean stocking. This make take a few hours. Do not squeeze the bag, or the liquid will become cloudy.

 

4. Pour the strained liquid back into the saucepan and add the sugar.

 

5. Bring back to the boil and boil rapidly for 15 minutes.

 

6. Allow to cool slightly and pour into sterilised jars. Screw tops on immediately.

 

Serve with cold/warm meats ~ especially game

[Alis girls]

Thanks Poet - I have on in garden but very high up so not sure if will be able to pick

[Old Speckled Hen]

They are better after a frost so freezing them is a good idea. I think it releases some of the taste or removes some of the bitterness .... something like that.

Lots here this year Last year the constant rain turned the berries mouldy on the trees.

If you wait till the frosts up here the birds have had the berries long ago.

You can do the same with sloes. They are better after a frost, producing a more intensely coloured gin.