Sunday 13 September 2009

Wild Fruit Jam

A day of plundering this weekend, and what a plunder it turned out to be. We sneaked over to our 'secret' sloe berry location anticipating disappointment after last year's wash out. And there before our eyes were bush after bush of the acrid berry that somehow transforms gin into liquid gold and, quite possibly, my favourite drink.

After plucking several kilos of sloes, the trip home became bonus time as we came across damsons aplenty. A quick shake of the branches and it rained wild plums onto our heads. Nature has more than made up for last year's harvest drought.

It helps to have a few little ones in tow when it comes to gathering fruit. Make sure they have some protective gloves on and away you go. With elderberries and brambles being thrown into the mix too, we eventually came home with more fruit than you can, erm, shake a tree at.

The sloe gin can wait until next week but the other wild fruit went into the pot for some loose jam ready for the yoghurt and muesli, porridge, hot muffins and one or two cakes and scones. There is something uniquely satisfying having made something almost for free and that pleasure doubles when you can have fun with your friends and family during the process. Happy days...

Wild Fruit Jam

Makes one large jar

1kg of wild fruit such as damsons, brambles, elderberries and sloes
200g caster sugar

1 - Put a couple of clean jars with the lids off into a hot oven and heat through for 10 minutes. Turn off the oven but leave in to remain hot.
2 - Place a couple of saucers into the freezer. 
3 - Put the fruit and sugar into a pan and bring to the boil. Give it a stir then fast boil for 10 minutes. Take a saucer out of the freezer and drop a little of the jam onto it. Put in the fridge for a minute then remove. Push it with the tip of your finger; if it crinkles, it's ready. If not, fast boil for another 5 minutes then repeat until ready.
3 - Carefully remove the hot jars with gloved hands then push the jam through a sieve into the jam jars (if you don't mind the skin and seeds, don't bother). Secure the lids and once cool, refrigerate. The jam should keep for 4 weeks.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks Godd David . How is the new job going ?Susan

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

We have wild raspberries and Saskatoons here in the valley since it semi-dessert but I wish I lived on the coast at this time of year...especially for the blackberries.

moya said...

Hi David - we've tried damson gin for the first time this year - as like you we have a bumper (free) crop as well as sloes
Moya

Wendy said...

My Dad just gave me a jar of home-made bramble jelly this weekend. So very, very good!
Would love to taste your concoction though. Sounds wonderful.

Unknown said...

Like the idea of the wild jam David, I know where I can get blackberries and sloes (it's not called Morrisons) so it's a start.

Chef Jeena said...

Hi David, your wild jam sounds lovely.

We have elderberries so I am thinking about making some jam or cooking them and freezing them for some pies over the winter.

How is the new job?

David Hall said...

Susan and Geena - the new job is amazing, I love it thanks!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Lucky you, being near a source of damsons! How wonderful!

I've been making freezer/fridge jam with the blackberries from our nearby common. But sadly no damsons or sloes to add to the mix...

Enjoy your jam!

Coffee and Vanilla said...

Interesting! I always thought that sloes were poisonous... ;)

Aimée said...

Gosh, you make jammin' sound like a breeze! I could have used some of your expertise last night! my pear jam is all runny. :(

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