I have today been given 12lb damsons, 11lb pears and nearly 4lb apples. :D :D
I am looking to make some wine and jam with the damsons and am hoping that I can freeze them. Does anyone know the best way to do this - just freeze them whole or chop em up?
What can I do with the pears? Can I freeze them until I'm ready to do something with them - again, what's the best way?
As for the apples - I know what to do with them ;D I'm going to make my first ever batch of blackberry and apple jam - wish me luck :)
I just really want to know the best way to keep this lovely fruit until I'm ready to use it.
We always cook a few damsons witha little sugar and freeze so that we can have crumbles later in ther year.
Enjoy your fruits
Oo lucky you! :o
If you're gonna be using the damsons shortly, just freeze as they are :)
Thanks, I like the easy option of freezing whole ;D
ooo, Linda lucky you - I made my first batch of blackberry & apple jam last week and it tastes absolutely divine.
Happy cooking !
There's only one thing to do with the damsons, and that is to make damson gin.
Unfortunately, I have not got precise measurments, but in a large coffee jar, you fill the jar with damsons that you have washed, and pricked all over with a fork. You then add gin at least three quarters of the way up the jar, and add sugar until the jar is full. The more sugar you add the more deliciously syrupy the eventual damson gin becomes. Keep turning the jars each day until the sugar is dissolved.
Then keep for several months, even years.
You can decant off the 'gin', and the resulting damsons can be made into pies/crumbles, etc.
valmarg
Just thought I'd tell you that I'm soooooo proud of my first batch of damson jam. Everyone thought it tasted loverrrrly and I'm so surprised at how easy it was.
The lovely lady who gave me the damsons also gave me her recipe and I followed it to the letter and it turned out absolutely fab.
Can't wait to make some more. ;D ;D
Hi Linda,
Damson jam is the best. I made a batch this weekend and have already tucked into it! ;D I had to go buy mine from the greengrocer but the result is soooo worth it. Heaven!