Foraging in Fields and Hedgerows!

It is that time of year again!  Foraging in the fields and hedgerows is a joy and the delight at the fresh air..Free free bounty always spurs me on!

Most blackberries are going over, but you may find still find a few late ones. They are great for making hedgerow jellies and jams, crumbles, pies and for freezing. My Uncle forages and adds frozen blackberries to his porridge in the morning! Try making Hedgerow Jelly or Fruits of the Forage Jam.  You can find these recipes and more on my Jam and Cordial Pinterest Board.

I have been making cherry jam with foraged cherries: a welcome gift from my brother.  Cherries make a delicious jam and I repaid him by giving him a jar or two to say thanks! See the photo above.  This is a similar recipe on Allotment Garden Recipes, which has great reviews: Val's Cherry Jam 

Elderberries are ripe now, but must be cooked before eaten.  They can also be added to crumbles and pies for extra flavour and Vitamin C. Here is a link for Elderberry and Apple Jam and below, a video link for elderberry syrup.

Crab apples are ripe now and they can be all shades of red, orange and yellow.  They make a lovely jelly.  You can find this and drinks recipes like Crab Apple Wine, here on my Jam and Cordial Board. 

Rosehips are ripening and I will soon be making syrup to ward off coughs and colds. Recipes for rosehip syrup became popular during World War II, when fresh citrus fruit became scarce. It contains 20 times more Vitamin C than an orange and you can find it for free in the hedgerows.

We had rosehip syrup on semolina pudding at school and I  have enjoyed it ever since.  You can find several recipes on my Pinterest Board, including Wartime and modern Rosehip Syrup recipes, jam and marmalade.

Did you know that hawthorn berries or haws and rowan berries are also edible and good for making jam?  At River Cottage they add them to their Hedgerow Jelly.  Hawthorn berries can be transformed into a savoury Hawthorn Jelly and are great accompaniment for cheese and meat.

This brings me on to sloes, Sloe Gin is a popular tipple to make now for Christmas.  I have not discovered the sloes in my area yet, but when I do this recipe will be a the top of my list:  Sloe Gin. Damsons are another forager's favourite.  There is a recipe for Seasonal Fruit Liqueurs, using damsons or blackberries and apples. Find more Damson recipes for jam and jelly via my Pinterest link below.

Visit my Jam and Cordial Pinterest Board for more recipes.

Thank you for visiting and happy foraging!