Allotments 4 All

Hi everyone,

the two elder berry trees in our garden are starting to show signs of ripening - have not got a clue what do do with them?

Have not got the kit, or the time, to make wine this year, hope to next year! but has anyone any other suggestions on how to use them?

thanks

hmm, elderberry soup? very warming if spiced slightly and served warm, good for the first autumn days (or cold summer days).
or cold as the receipe for a refreshing starter :)

wish i had elderberries round here somewhere :(

Elderberry Jelly, but for us it has to be wine! ;D

Elderberry jelly (with a dash of port in it!)  ;D  Also great in pies with apples.

thanks guys (I wasn't ignoring you, had forgotten I had asked the question!)

Back on my using elderberries mission now! Fancy making some jelly.

Has anyone got any tried and tested elderberry jelly recipes. I have found several on the internet but they vary considerably!

Also include ingredients I have no idea where to buy! like pectin - where do you get it from? what does it look like? I have no idea what it is. (and - yes I got an A for A level Home Economics, just never did jam making!)

I got a jelly bag and some jam jar covers from a company called:  http://www.cookability.biz
they were 1/2 the price of the ones in Lakeland.

Have made Elderberry jelly, delish!  Short on time at the mo, but if I remember will dig out recipe!

that would be lovely, thanks Doris.

Incidentally, your user name holds a special place in my heart. When I was a child I had a wonderful dog called Doris, who lived to the amazing age of 16. When she finally passed away, we wanted to make a memorial in our family garden and my dad found the carnation - Doris Pink, an area of the garden was devoted to them and her ashes were sprinkled in the soil beneath them.

i have a recipe for elderberry chutney i can send.it is very nice to have with cold lamb or pork.

sounds good - yes please?

Daisy, here is the recipe as promised!
Elderberry Jelly
4lb Elderberries
Sugar
1 Pint Water
1-2 Lemons

Simmer berries in water, strain through a jelly cloth or muslin, to each pint of juice add 12oz to 1lb sugar and the juice of a large lemon or 2 small ones.
Stir until sugar has dissolved. Boil until setting point has been reached.

Glad to hear I remind you of an old friend! It was also my Godmother/Aunt's name so has special memories for me too!

Brilliant Doris, thank you very much.

Great timing as I picked some last night  ;D

Elderberry jam:-

1kg elderberries, stripped from the stalks and washed
300ml water
1kg apples, peeled, cored and diced
750g sugar
2 lemons - grated rind and juice

Put the elderberries and wtar in a large pan over low heat.  bruise the berries with a wooden spoon.  When the juice is warm, add the apples and 225g of the sugar, bring to boil then simmer 20 mins till quite soft.  Rub through a seive and return the pulp to the pan.  Add the remaining sugar and the lemon juice and rind.   Boil steadily for 20 mins till setting point is reached then pot and cover straightaway.

Taken from Fruity Passions by Margaret Vaughan and Mary Hardiman-Jones, BBC books, 1990.  They also give recipes for elderberry wine, dessert and chutney as wella s many other recipes divided by season and main ingredient.

thanks Obbelix, spoilt for choice now!

are you the same obbelix as on the BBC site per chance (I am Daisy on there, but someone had beaten me to it on A4A)

The very same.   Had troubles with registrations at one point (OH messing with computer) hence the different spellings.

Going blackberry & elderberry picking with kids today.

Question to the panel ;D: Does elderberry jelly taste similar to redcurrant jelly?

(roast lamb for sunday dinner & wondering if it is a suitable accompaniment).

Hi Debs, I would use it to accompany Lamb, it has a stronger flavour than redcurrant, more porty! Cor hard to describe a flavour in words!

Sunday dinner has now turned into sunday supper ;D

...well i have picked 7lb of elderberries!!

Don't know whether hubby and kids could wait long enough for the jelly to be made.

Only 10 mins left for the yorkshires, better go and feed the tribe ;D

Does elderberry jelly freeze?  If so will make some tomorrow & freeze.

Debs

pectin can be bought from your local supermarket. Ours keeps it next to the jam sugar (the shelf above the normal sugar)

i never get any elder berries - i use all the elderflowers for making cordial in the spring - soooo yummy & refreshing with soda water.