Thank you so much for that very useful guide Camilla. 2022 was the first year in a while that I didn’t get round to making any jam or marmalade and I’m feeling it now (though fortunately I have a few friends who are better organised). But my favourite things to make are damson cheese (for which Pam
Corbyn ii indeed the guiding star) and damson chutney. I I have often contemplated bottling pears but not wanting to buy too much special equipment-- it seem that many households in North America have stash of canning supplies but it’s hard to find here. My next goals are pear-shaped. I would also love to dry pears at home because they can be hard to find just when I wanted them.
Thank you, Geraldine! You're very kind. And I'm very jealous you have such great access to damsons! I do hope you try bottling pears. I promise you don't need much but a big pot and some jars.
Damsons are often grown as ornamental trees here. You just have to hope your neighbours don’t know what to do with them. My friends had one outside their house, but unfortunately they’ve moved!
I Camila! Thank you for all the great information, it’s such a pleasure to read you! Let me ask you about syruping? How its done, and if it’s considered a preserving method? It seems to me a wonderful thing, a real syrup made with real fruit.
Yes, syrup, of course! I missed that one didn't I? Funny, considering there's a whole chapter on it in my first book. You can find recipes there (Preservation Society Home Preserves), or start with this one: https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_02/berry_syrup.html though I would significantly reduce the sugar and probably add a little citric acid. You can either heat process filled jars 10 minutes or pour into sterilized bottles and keep it in the fridge for months.
Thank you so much for that very useful guide Camilla. 2022 was the first year in a while that I didn’t get round to making any jam or marmalade and I’m feeling it now (though fortunately I have a few friends who are better organised). But my favourite things to make are damson cheese (for which Pam
Corbyn ii indeed the guiding star) and damson chutney. I I have often contemplated bottling pears but not wanting to buy too much special equipment-- it seem that many households in North America have stash of canning supplies but it’s hard to find here. My next goals are pear-shaped. I would also love to dry pears at home because they can be hard to find just when I wanted them.
Thank you, Geraldine! You're very kind. And I'm very jealous you have such great access to damsons! I do hope you try bottling pears. I promise you don't need much but a big pot and some jars.
Damsons are often grown as ornamental trees here. You just have to hope your neighbours don’t know what to do with them. My friends had one outside their house, but unfortunately they’ve moved!
I Camila! Thank you for all the great information, it’s such a pleasure to read you! Let me ask you about syruping? How its done, and if it’s considered a preserving method? It seems to me a wonderful thing, a real syrup made with real fruit.
Thank you!
Yes, syrup, of course! I missed that one didn't I? Funny, considering there's a whole chapter on it in my first book. You can find recipes there (Preservation Society Home Preserves), or start with this one: https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_02/berry_syrup.html though I would significantly reduce the sugar and probably add a little citric acid. You can either heat process filled jars 10 minutes or pour into sterilized bottles and keep it in the fridge for months.