Foraging

[Mikey]

I was out playing golf yesterday evening at one of our local courses, and what a bounty I had. I stuffed my way around and had ripe plums, pears, blackberries and apples, spotted a cracking elderberry tree fully loaded and 4 sloe bushes.

Its not that often a good walk becomes a full bellied one.

[VirginVegGrower]

Just made my second batch of elderberry wine courtesy of Ginger Ninger's recipe and Two Shed's advice.
We've been using up nature's plum glut on the trees down the lane and also the wild blackberry brambles. I love this time of year - keep looking at an apple press as we have loads of apples on the trees here this year.

[Mikey]

I was meant to go on a mushroom course last year and didn't get around to it, but I do love a wild harvest.

I think it is starting to become more fashionable, I used to pick blackberries in our area and have looks as if I was scum. I've got some blackberry and apple jam in the fridge, which is this years wild harvest.

Anyone got some cooking apple recipes, my neighbour left me a bin bag full of them yesterday, stewed and jelly I can do, any other suggestions?

[Shadylane]

What about apple and onion chutney. I made some recently out of some red fleshed ones(apples). It's rank though as I over-did it with the cinamon. As suggested by our veteran allotmenteer, I'm going to make some more, add the rank stuff to it to water it down, rather than bin it. I've recently discovered loads of damsons/bullaces, it's becoming a bit of an obsession now. Can't seem to find any hazelnuts though. The trees are there, just lacking in nuts.

[Florence Fennel]

Not having a go at cider brewing then Mikey?

[chris]

I think you need to show me the ropes of our local land Mikey

[Mikey]

I believe Cider apples are different to cookers FF,,

and Chris you clearly spend too much time watching where you are walking than enjoying our lovely countryside. If I can find a course locally that does mushroom hunting, are you up for it?

[Florence Fennel]

I believe Cider apples are different to cookers FF,,

Wouldn't know Mikey, can't stand the stuff myself, don't like champagne either, cheap date me. Foraging sounds much better than the good walk spoilt.

[Mikey]

I'm not a big drinker either FF, the odd glass of elderflower champagne from time to time, and a very rare can of bow. A couple of pints though and I'm up for a shocking hangover.

That said the blackberry tart I had for tea last night is playing havoc with my insides this morning, or it might have been the hot beetroot sandwich I had for supper.

[chris]

I'm not keen on mushrooms at all, but I'd happily tag along

I'll have to get my card stamped by my wife first, currently, it's a bit difficult to get out and about leaving her at home with the two nippers, the 2 yo is trying to eat the newborn

[Mikey]

Cover the newborn in green veg Chris, you can never get a 2yo to eat their greens!!!

I understand on the time thing, DD is now 6 and I'm starting to get a bit more freedom, hence the playing golf, but its still a low tolerance zone.

[chris]

We're planning to do the whole foraging thing as a family though, I think it'd be great to take the two of them out when they're old enough to pick blackberries, and what not! I've started getting some books in

[Mikey]

How about a planned event such as this one in Merthyr Mawr Bridgend.

[chris]

Looks good, thanks I will bear it in mind As long as the address is in my sat nav we're ok

[Mikey]

Looks good, thanks I will bear it in mind As long as the address is in my sat nav we're ok

Be careful with sat navs it might ask you to drive into the sea at Ogmore.!!