Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: Richardm on September 10, 2007, 16:10
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Hi all...
I'm a complete newbie/amatuer/novice in the whole world of gardening & growing my own, and will have hundreds of (Probably silly!) questions in the very near future!
However, in Warwickshire today, it has been really windy and has blown down a load of damsons from my tree's upper branches. I have used all from the lower branches to make damson vodka last month, but had kinda resigned myself to getting at the fruit at the top due to not fancying climbing a v tall ladder, and other pressing projects in my garden..
My question is, all the damsons that have fell down that are not noticibly damaged, ie, not split, can I use them? If so, what for? I picked one up, gave it a gentle squeeze & it pretty much exploded!
Having inherited a large plot, a greenhouse, various fruit trees as well as 2 ducks & four chucks, I am obv very busy (& confused lol) with all things garden related, but as these damsons are today, all over the place, they seem to be number one priority all of a sudden! :roll:
Any help would be muchly appreciated!!
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If they're that soft, I'd say that a lot of damson plum jam is in order. You can google any number of recipes, or try the recipe section above. And yes, fallen damsons are useable, just wash and discard any bugs - unless you prefer some protein. :lol:
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Hiya Richard welcome to the forums :D can't you make damson wine with 'em ?
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they are ripe is all .so use as u would any damson :wink: we have loads on the farm and they are still hard :cry:
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As mentioned, they are extremely soft! Sqiushy in fact!
If this wont be a problem, then jam they will be. I've had great success making jam (for the 1st ever time!) with my warwickshire drooper plums, and as i've got a load of damson voddy already on the go...
The next question will be, what can i do with a load of mixed chilli that are almost ready in the green house? They range from hot to very hot!
Thanks for the answers so far..a friend recommended this site, and I have to say, its the most comprehensive of its kind! I spend almost as much time on here as in the garden!
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pick and dry the chilli's /hang the branches up in the shed to dry .pickle them /chop them and freeze /loadssssssssss of thimgs to do with chillies :wink: check the recipes in the brown line text above for cooking ideas .. search chilli's on the site using the search tool above .. happy reading and qwelcome to the gang :wink: :lol:
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After making a record quantity of damson gin, there were still some left over to add to some stewed apples. Lovely combination. Planting raspberry canes soon, so next year we'll have our own raspberry gin if the stuff made with Mr Tesco's finest tastes ok.
Chilli gin - now there's a thought...
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My wife tells me that squishy damsons are supposed to be better for making damson jelly, rather than jam.
I prefer them firm enough to be able to press the stones out without squirting juice everywhere for use in wine.
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The squishy ones are definitely better jammers. That's why they're the cheapest ones at the market. Any that are firmer cost loads more and don't make as good jam. Squishies are what we use for jam. 8)