Tread quietly,
O people, hush!
For don’t you see,
A spotted thrush,
One thrush or two,
Or even three,
In every laden elder-tree?
They pull and lug,
They flap and push,
They peck and tug,
To strip the bush;
They forsaken
Snail and slug;
Unseen I watch them, safe and snug!
The Elderberry Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker
As there are so many connections between faeries, and elderberries and blackberries; I call this my Faery Berry Jam.
FAERY BERRY JAM
Ingredients:
800kg Blackberries
200g Elderberries
1kg Jam Sugar (added pectin)
2 Lemons, juiced
Butter, small nob (optional)
Method:
1. Put a saucer in the freezer.
2. Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and berries.
3. Heat on a low heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Turn the heat up and cook on a rolling boil for ten minutes, being sure to stir, so that no fruit burns or sticks to the pan. Skim off any scum.
5. Put a small blob of the mixture on the saucer, and leave aside for a minute.
6. Push the mixture with your finger - if it wrinkles the mixture is ready.
7. If it doesn’t wrinkle, cook for another 5 minutes and then try again. Keep trying until it’s ready.
8. When the mixture is ready, stir in the butter to dissolve any scum. (I personally don’t bother).
9. Pour into sterilised jars, top with a waxed disc, and add the lid. Do this when hot.
10. Store in a cool, dark place.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks so much for leaving comments!