I have been searching the web for a good picture of elderberries (the sort to make cordial from). I believe the are around at the moment. All the pictures I have found look totally different! Could anyone, who knows which are fine for cooking with, direct me to a good picture I could use for recognition?
Try this link, or just search "Elderberries" in Google images. They make a great jelly to go with roast meats!
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/images/2006/09/27/gardening_oct_06_elderberries_pic_009_470x353.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/image_galleries/gardening_october_2006_gallery.shtml%3F2&h=353&w=470&sz=40&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=i-PQUXrTEX8zHM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Delderberries%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den
thanks, so the black ones are the ones for cooking. When I did a google search, I found white and blue berries too. If you are unsure on what you are looking for, picking berries can be a bad idea!
It's a good idea to look for information on the tree as well.
That way you find out what the leaves, bark etc are like, a useful check.
These are what you should be looking for in the hedgerows.
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n2/neil_1_1956/elderberry.jpg)
Blackberry and Elderberry Jam
Take equal quantities of blackberries and elderberries (stripped of stalks), put in pan, bring to boil and cook for 20 mins. Allow ¾lb sugar to each 1lb fruit, bring again to boil for 20 mins. Pot.
thanks for the info. I will print the picture and go searching at the weekend :D