Hope everyone's all ok, we've been having 'tinternet'! problems, but a kindly Knight called Stuart sorted us out and we're all 'hunky dory' now - fingers crossed!
Yes! its that time again folks - Mother Nature goes bonkers and garlands all our hedges with frilly frothy, fragranced lacey delights - the air is thick with the scent of Elderflowers.
They are a delight I treasure each year, they remind me so, of my childhood, a constant 'if you will' of my love affair with nature!
But what to do with them all - how to capture that wonderful fragrance for all the cold grey days.
Luckily Hubby P was in a reflective mood the other evening, so I handed him the basket and suggested he pick the Gooseberries, not that its a bad job, I enjoy anything like that, but its nice that Hubby's included in the garden, and not just all the heavy manual jobs.
So we had this little lot to do something with!
I thought about Gooseberry jam - but we don't eat too much jam (I end up giving it away) so I tried to think of what we do enjoy, and I came up with pickles and jellies to eat with cheese etc.
So I came up with this Gooseberry and Elderflower jelly - I put a touch of chilli in it too, although it is a bit lost in the overpowering lusciousness of the elderflowers!
Once it had come to a set I took the pan off the heat and added a few elderflowers, you can clearly see them in the jelly - they make it look all frothy!
I must say - not one for blowing my own trumpet, but it tastes wonderful - so scrummy, the scent and taste of the elderflowers is so fresh and summery!
I can see me scrounging more gooseberries to make more, because this lots not going to last very long!
We have plans to make some Elderberry Cordial too - such a mass of blooms on the trees, its a shame not to bottle as much a possible, and hopefully save some for the winter months.
Update on the baby bunnies!
This is one of the little chaps I gently lifted out of the nest, their eyes are nearly open, won't be long before they are running around. Mum is doing an excellent job.
xx Take care for now, have a nice weekend xx
I have been thinking it's time to do something with the Elderberry flowers. Hope to get time to make syrup for drinks. Thanks for the great inspirational post.
ReplyDeleteHmmm those bunnies are just the right size for my pocket :)
ReplyDeleteSee you soon
twiggy x
Hello!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I used to have Elderflowers fried with sugar.
Have a lovely weekend!
How funny - hubby and I were only talking about Elderflowers today and neither of us know what they look like or where to look for them! Your photo gives us an idea now of what they look like. The reason I want some is that I've got a great recipe for gooseberry and elderflower jam!
ReplyDeletethat looks like a great idea I have been planning elderflower wine but I'm so behind my husband has suggested I make wine out of the 50 cups of chamomile tea I have left unfinished around the house!
ReplyDeleteOoooh that jam looks fabulous...there is a real art to jam making and it looks like you have it.
ReplyDeleteThe bunnies are too beautiful for words.
Hugs Lynn xxx