Let's go foraging

[JuanTwoThree]

Use vodka. Or make jam or cordial.

Or make Pacharan/Patxaran if you like anis flavours. You can use a little anis and a lot of vodka if you want to have less aniseed flavour

José Antonio Garcia’s recommended recipe for Pacharan | The Cottage Smallholder

 

[JuanTwoThree]

Looks like Sloe berries, the Blackthorn tree/bush.

Damsons, Bullaces and Wild Plums are much the same thing. I think we had crosses of them in Wales. But if 'Yes' is the answer to

Did it have thorns?

and it's more bush than tree then it's a sloe.

There's also something about the fruit having stems or not, but what I don't remember.

 

[Athos]

There's also something about the fruit having stems or not, but what I don't remember.

Yeah, damsons hang on longer stems whereas sloes are closer to the branch. Not obvious from the pic.

 

[sojourner]

Probably sloes, but could be damson; hard to tell from that picture. Did it have thorns? How big are the fruits?

Thorns are the big identifier - very sharp brown thorns make it a blackthorn tree, so would be sloes.

They might be damsons.

 

[existentialist]

Thorns are the big identifier - very sharp brown thorns make it a blackthorn tree, so would be sloes.

They might be damsons.

IME, damsons are generally significantly larger than sloes, and tend to have a more plum-like shape, while sloes are usually spherical.

 

[Chilli.s]

The taste test will soon solve this, sloe berry will dry your mouth out with its bitter taste, damsons however, are quite nice to eat.

 

[Chilli.s]

A bumper year for blackberries and sloes this year

 

[Athos]

Thorns are the big identifier - very sharp brown thorns make it a blackthorn tree, so would be sloes.

They might be damsons.

I know. That was the first question I asked.

 

[sojourner]

I know. That was the first question I asked.

I was backing you up, knobber.

 

[Chilli.s]

My foraged sweet chestnuts last year were such a success, cooked frozen and ready to use as stuffing for deluxe roast dinners. I'm keeping a close eye out for this years crop, the first ones that have fallen are all shell and no nut though

 

[Athos]

I was backing you up, knobber.

I know. Didn't mean to come across as arsey.

 

[sojourner]

So then Badgers , did you taste them or wha? Check for thorns?

 

[Badgers]

So then Badgers , did you taste them or wha? Check for thorns?

Nah, I got distracted by a can of cider and a bench

 

[sojourner]

Nah, I got distracted by a can of cider and a bench

Fucking shirker

 

[iona]

Giant haw! (Crataegus coccinea, not one of the native species)

 

[iona]

They taste really good too, proper appley.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

I have some dill seeds in my garden. Ought to use them in something.

 

[Saunders]

Giant haw! (Crataegus coccinea, not one of the native species)

Is that from one of those hawthorns with big leaves like an apple x oak tree?

 

[iona]

Is that from one of those hawthorns with big leaves like an apple x oak tree?

Yep. Big fucking vicious thorns too.

 

[sojourner]

Never knew we had redcurrants in my fave little wild park, but saw these beauties today. Checked my Forager's Calendar book, and it's pretty disparaging about possible uses.

Anyone got owt positive to say or suggest?

 

[existentialist]

Never knew we had redcurrants in my fave little wild park, but saw these beauties today. Checked my Forager's Calendar book, and it's pretty disparaging about possible uses.

Anyone got owt positive to say or suggest?

Redcurrant jelly is a traditional Christmas thing...

 

[Chilli.s]

Redcurrant jelly is a traditional Christmas thing...

Like cranberry sauce only better cos you make it yourself

 

[sojourner]

I've never had either one. Aren't they more for accompanying meat though?

 

[Chilli.s]

I've never had either one. Aren't they more for accompanying meat though?

yeah, and very nice too. Adds a bit of a sharp taste that cuts trough the meatiness, think mint sauce and roast lamb.

 

[sojourner]

yeah, and very nice too. Adds a bit of a sharp taste that cuts trough the meatiness, think mint sauce and roast lamb.

Fella's a veggie and I only eat meat occasionally, even then it's chicken, not red meat. Might still make it out of curiosity though.

 

[Athos]

sojourner, silly question, especially as I can't see very well on my phone, but are you sure they're redcurrants? Because the bush seems quite big, it's late for redcurrants, I thought redcurrants usually had green stems, and that the fruits come in long bunches and have tails and ribs. It's there any chance this could be a Guelder Rose instead?

 

[Johnny Vodka]

Like cranberry sauce only better cos you make it yourself

I make cranberry sauce myself, with supermarket berries.

 

[sojourner]

sojourner, silly question, especially as I can't see very well on my phone, but are you sure they're redcurrants? Because the bush seems quite big, it's late for redcurrants, I thought redcurrants usually had green stems, and that the fruits come in long bunches and have tails and ribs. It's there any chance this could be a Guelder Rose instead?

It's got the same leaves. Ah though, the berries had no 'tails'. Cheers, looks like I'm wrong then!

 

[existentialist]

I've never had either one. Aren't they more for accompanying meat though?

And cheese.

 

[dessiato]

My sister and two of my nieces have allotments. I spent a happy hour foraging there. I got some eggs, and lots of fruit. I also found some burgers, sausages, and salad.