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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

I see that the Sloe`s are coming on fine so I am thinking about the sloe Gin for Xmas. However the elder looks very poor, as it did last year. As elderberry wine is the only one that I can make that is remotely drinkable, I am somewhat concerned. Does the elder struggle over here?.
I noticed a good crop of crabs on a few local trees so cider is an option, and the Blackberries look good too. I have not yet found a strawberry tree. Are these of any good use?. I know little of the more exotic Fungi species so armed with me little book <cheers Blowin> I shall be on a mission this fall. Anyone else been out foraging yet?

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chook · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 305 Location: North Clare

My own elder trees are still young and not doing too well, so last year I finally found a fab spot for elderberries, brought home several large boxes and made tons of juice and gelée / jelly (elderberry & apple; elderberry & rum).
When I checked this year: zilch, nada. I think it's just the year that's in it or the locality. Similarly I had virtually no black currants, while some others had a great harvest. Mine got a late frost.
Some of my crabs are fine too, others are not; even of the same variety (John Downie), the sheltered trees are hanging with fruit, the exposed ones are bare and they are standing within a few metres of each other. Last year they were all full. Haven't checked the hazelnut situation in the Burren yet.

chook

blowin · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:

Haha
You may not have noticed the fairly mature Elder tree behind our house but it was loaded with nearly-ripe berries at the time you visited . There is scarcely one in sight now .
Not so much a case of late frost as early-morning Wood Pigeons ! Laughing

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Alot of things went unnoticed at your place me thinks Laughing

Well I could suffer the loss of a few elder berries for the sake of plump woodies for the barbee, but as Chook has said it must be the climate that has caused such variants. Ho Hum Crying or Very sad

but on a lighter note nature will provide a glut of something else me thinks.
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David · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Co. Clare

Like chook, I think the lack of elderberries is the year...last year we were drowned in them, this autumn there's hardly any...maybe the birds got desperate during the damp summer, or else the hail smashed the hell out of them!

Loads of damsons though and a good year for apples...a neighbour has a derelict orchard...so far i've fed 6 sacks of lovely winfalls to the pigs...

D

blowin · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:45 pm Post subject:

I am scratching to find decent blackberries . There were plenty on the bushes a couple of weeks ago but they were too tart then . Now there aren't many worth having -- they are mostly either small and pippy or just too watery . Pity .
The fungi season seems to be all over the place as far as the edible types are concerned . Couldn't find anything in the woods . A fairly drastic change in the weather might still bring them out, tho , so keep looking . Wink

Has anyone tried "fruit leather" ? Ray Mears made some with Hawthorn berries last year . He just squished them thru a sieve to remove the seeds . The juice then set to a very firm jelly within about 10 mins . No additives or simmering either Very Happy

. Apparently it keeps for several years and is quite palatable .

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

The blackberries around here are now showing signs of stress. What looked to be a bumper crop a month ago are now shriveled. Ho Hum.
As for the fruit leathers. These are big in NZ. They just taste like fruit pastels. Ish. An interesting way to preserve fruit but I did not like them much.
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blowin · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:36 am Post subject:

Do you know whether you can add sugar to the pulp before it sets , or would that destroy the texture or something ? I guess it might improve the flavour .

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Dunno mate. I have never made them but my Father has made them for years. I will phone him and ask. I will see if he can send me the complete recipe.

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