[scabs]

Disaster no 1: my hedgerow jelly was a an awful c*ck up and I now have eight smallish jars of bright pink, candyfloss-flavoured gloop... any ideas? I thought perhaps I could turn them into boiled sweets, but haven't the foggiest idea how.

Disaster no 2: actually, this isn't a disaster, I made Val's Spicey Tomato Sauce (slightly different) this morning and first indications are gooood. But I have a bowl full of pulp and I don't want to see it go to waste. Again, any ideas?

As if standing in the kitchen all morning wasn't enough.! 

[Val H]

Number 2 - Freeze it and use when you're making a curry or something similar. Number 1 I'm not certain but you could try rolling it into small balls and pop them into an oven on a tray at about Gas Mark 4 for about 20 mins.

[scabs]

Got to be worth a try, thanks Val!

[tode]

The gloop could be reheated with something acid and tangy (like rhubarb), but at this time of year, there's not much choice 

If you're feeling adventurous, and nothing to lose, perhaps sloes ?  That would certainly put some bite in your hair-gel 

[flowerpower]

I'd just re label gloop.

"Hedgerow Sauce" Good with game and wonderful poured over ice cream and waffles...

It's all in the presentation!

[tode]

You're not an MP are you, Flowerpower ?

[scabs]

The biggest problem wasn't the set (which wasn't that bad, actually) but the taste: burnt sugar a la candyfloss or toffee apples.

I spread the jelly out on a baking tray, on baking paper (or whatever it's called) and cooked it again, reducing it right down (this took maybe 2-3 hours in total, as I kept taking it out and letting it cool to see if it would 'firm up'

The result is a big sheet of brittle 'toffee', still slightly bendy after standing overnight. The colour has changed from pink to a deep red and the edges are very brittle... tastes very 'Wintery', rather Halloween-ish...

Have stuck it in the fridge to harden and will smash it to bits, coat in caster sugar and watch the kids remove their teeth on the stuff on my daughter's birthday (which is Halloween).

[sunshineband]

 :lol

Sounds a great outcome 

[scabs]

Mixed results... 

The edges were hard but the centre 3/4s of it were still bend and sticky. I smashed it into bits, coated it with caster sugar and put it in a jar. Went back to the jar to half inch a piece and the lot had welded together inside the jar... 

Tastes great, but you need dentists equipment to get a piece.

Aaaah well...

[flowerpower]

"You're not an MP are you, Flowerpower ?"

Tee Hee...!

I'd have a little man in my veg patch paid entirely on expenses if I was....

[sunshineband]

Aaah well... as you say!

You win some and some you .......................

 Never mind Scabs. Most of what you've made has sounded absolutely brill.  Well impressed ,me 

[scabs]

Cheers Sunshine! 

[strangerachael]

Dish it out to the trick or treaters!!! 

[scabs]

I chucked the whole lot away, jar and all...