The tree at the bottom of the garden has been groaning under the weight of its fruit this year. Its an ancient tree, already full grown when we moved to the house 40 years ago. Now I've alway thought these were small plums because of the way they grow on the tree, but they also taste like cherries. However it doesn't really matter either way, whatever they are I still have the problem of picking, using and preserving them before they go over. The wasps are already eyeing them up and the birds are feasting on the ones I can't reach - so nature will have its share.
We've eaten probably too many than are good for us fresh, I've made crumble puddings, frozen some, given lots away, and my latest effort has been bottling. I've not tried this form of preserving before and I don't think I've been completely successful as at the end of the session there has been so much syrup left I feel I must have done something wrong.
But we tried them today as one jar's seal had failed and needed to be used first. I'm pleased to report they were delicious with some greek yogurt - so my sister will get a jar when she visits on Friday. Of course I have to pretty up the jar and decided this was the perfect opportunity to use my Lunchbox Note die (for the first time!). Inside the note I've written serving suggestions copied from the book. And yes, you've guessed it, the recipe came from
Sensational Preserves by Hilaire Walden. Where would I be without this wonderful book!
The tree at the bottom of the garden has been groaning under the weight of its fruit this year. Its an ancient tree, already full grown when we moved to the house 40 years ago. Now I've alway thought these were small plums because of the way they grow on the tree, but they also taste like cherries. However it doesn't really matter either way, whatever they are I still have the problem of picking, using and preserving them before they go over. The wasps are already eyeing them up and the birds are feasting on the ones I can't reach - so nature will have its share.
We've eaten probably too many than are good for us fresh, I've made crumble puddings, frozen some, given lots away, and my latest effort has been bottling. I've not tried this form of preserving before and I don't think I've been completely successful as at the end of the session there has been so much syrup left I feel I must have done something wrong.
But we tried them today as one jar's seal had failed and needed to be used first. I'm pleased to report they were delicious with some greek yogurt - so my sister will get a jar when she visits on Friday. Of course I have to pretty up the jar and decided this was the perfect opportunity to use my Lunchbox Note die (for the first time!). Inside the note I've written serving suggestions copied from the book. And yes, you've guessed it, the recipe came from Sensational Preserves by Hilaire Walden. Where would I be without this wonderful book!
What a wonderful post today, Ann, thank you - everything looks delicious! How fortunate you are to have this tree still bearing after so many years!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous lot of cherries, they look delish and they are so expensive in the shops too, perhaps you should bag them up and sell them from your front garden? Lots of people do that round here, I love the look of the preserved ones too :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs xx
Iv'e just made apple crumble from apples left as help yourself outside a local house in the village. Your preserving takes me back to childhood times. Mum always made batches of bottled fruit. It was my job to wash out the kilner glass jars and stretch the rubber seals back on the tops. Hugs Mrs A.
ReplyDeleteHi - not been keeping up to date with blogs recently. Still loving your work - Those notepads are cute and the cherries look delish. xx
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable and I am so jealous that you have all those wonderful cherries to use. What kind are they and how do you get those pits out? That looks so cute with the lunchbox die.
ReplyDeleteMmmm...cherries! They look wonderful. That syrup looks absolutely delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteThose look amazing: I am so jealous!! Cherries are my favorite of ALL fruit, and my tree died 3 years ago, I replanted last year, and that one died too!! i'm so sad, and if I lived near you you'd have a cherry thief (err, I mean friend :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your preserving!! I know that you said you''re not sure what kind of cherry they are, do you think they might be Bing or something else? Also, do you have one tree or two? (If it's just one it must be self-pollinating) Would you consider saving some seeds and mailing them to me? I need a self pollinating tree because my yard is so small. I'd pay shipping. Let me know what you think. Good luck with those beauties!! Helen: hlebrett at hotmail.com
I LOVE this harvest time. In France weather is really bad now, storm rain, like fall. Apples and pears are falling from the tree too early..... Time to stitch ...
ReplyDeleteHi Helen L - I tried to mail you but the address didn't work - did you type it right?
ReplyDelete