Gertie Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Hi All I've got a lot of fruit bushes, raspberry canes, plum and apple trees in my garden and hazelnuts and rhubarb. I don't have a massive amount of time as I work full time, I also don't have any space in the freezer. So what can I do with all of the fruit? I'm going to make some into jams and chutneys for Xmas gifts. That still leaves rather a lot! I'm going to start collecting jars now and get myself a preserving pan. What else do you guys recommend? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 depending on what apple vareties you've got apples will store really well. some need to be stored for the true flavor to develop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Well made jams keep really well too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Rhubarb freezes well, and doesn't take long to prepare - just clean it and cut into chunks, that's all. Soft fruit eg raspberries can be frozen but is a bit more hassle as you need to freeze it on trays and then put it into bags or boxes once it's frozen. You could make raspberry vodka! I struggle with apples as some years I get a bumper crop, I am unable to eat them raw due to an allergy and there's only so much chutney, apple jelly, apple sauce etc that you can make. I often end up giving them away to friends and neighbours, which is no bad thing. Last year however I heard about a company that will take apples and turn them into juice and bottle it for you, I think you need a minimum amount but it might be worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Great, brilliant. I think I'm going to have to see if parent & nan will free up freezer space. I wondered if green grocer might take soft fruit as we have gooseberries which I know are not the common. Mmm, gooseberry & rhubarb fool! I'm going to make that for sure. I know that my mum used of offer her damsons to the local hospitals & nursing homes. I can always leave some out for passers by. Juicing idea sounds great - not sure what variety. Have no idea about storing but could possibly have space as we have an unused ancient static caravan on site! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessy27 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Gertie, I would rather get home made jam or jelly for Christmas than anything bought from a store. That's just something most people don't have the time for anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Definitely make as much jam/jelly/chutney as you can. Juicing apples is a good idea - or maybe have a go at making cider! Soft fruit can go into vodka/gin to make liqueurs or you could make cordials. Get some good quality Kilner jars/Le parfait jars and bottle some fruit. River Cottage have some good bottling recipes with flavoured/spiced sugar syrups. I'm going to try and have a go at bottling this year - just got to get myself some jars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Yes, I agree jessy! I have started crocheting hats and scarves. This year I am trying to make all (or most!) of my xmas gifts. I'm collecting jars from everywhere at the moment. I bought 3 Kilner jars last year and I will look out for some in car boot sales as well. Ive got a nice hedgerow cook book as well so I can use the wild ingredients. I love the ideas of liqueurs, that would make an awesome present. Do you have any tried and tested recipes? Juicing sounds like a good plan. I just discovered another apple tree yesterday so that makes 4 apple trees, 2 plum, 3 elderflower, 1 cherry, rhubarb, gooseberry,black current, raspberry plants and hazelnut tree! At least I will be able to offer my friends and family a large selection of jams!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Re liqueurs, it's pretty much a case of trial and error, although you might find some recipes on the internet. Normally, you just layer up fruit and sugar in a container and slosh over the alcohol of your choice, leave to mature and then taste to see if you've got it right. As a rough guide, if I'm making sloe vodka I would use 1lb of sloes and 1lb of sugar and pour over a 1L bottle of vodka. But other fruits that have more natural sweetness probably need less sugar. But you can always add more if you think it tastes too tart! Sorry, I'm not sure that was very helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Just found a nice website with ideas for using produce including the wild stuff, and a recipe for apple cider vinegar. http://eldrum.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/on-the-joys-of-apple-cider-vinegar/ In my post about plants for the chickens I discovers they like a plant called 'jack by the hedge' and even found a recipe for that. Thanks Lavendersblue. I will experiment. After all. Vodka and sugar with fruit...how wrong can it go whatever the quantities!!! Im sure I will be able to make something drinkable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Thanks Lavendersblue. I will experiment. After all. Vodka and sugar with fruit...how wrong can it go whatever the quantities!!! Im sure I will be able to make something drinkable Rumtopf is good too - I forgot to mention that earlier. My Mum made one last year and we all got very merry at Christmas with boozy pavolva and trifle etc You don't need a proper rumtopf to make one in, my mum used a casserole with a lid or a large kilner type jar would work well too I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Ha ha, I just realised we are both talking about booze before 9am!! Rumtopfs looks really nice and the container looks similar to a biscuit barrel or those nice ceramic composters!! Seems there are loads of things I can do with the fruit. I just hope it does better than my poor drowned strawberries which have all rotted Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
