Garden produce ready for Christmas gifts.
By Homebird
22 Nov, 2015
17 likes
I've used the onions for pickling as some were quite small this year. Two weeks ago I picked all the crab apples and made the crab apple jelly. I froze some blackberry and raspberry when I had a glut. Yesterday afternoon I defrosted them, added apple, boiled them up and left them to drip through muslin overnight and this morning I made the juice into jelly. I made beetroot chutney yesterday and some marmalade this morning. Everything's a bit stuck up now, I'm not too clever at pouring it into the jars without dripping it all over the cooker, work surface and me......lol. Yesterday I also made some sweet apple and date chutney from some of the apples left on the trees. I feel satisfied now that they are all done ready to label and I'm going to give them in a hamper to my close family and friends for Christmas.
Comments on this photo
Wow! Well done! :))
22 Nov, 2015
Whooo you've been busy. I pickled some onions last week but that's all. All look great.
22 Nov, 2015
Very impressed, how delicious it all looks :-)
22 Nov, 2015
Don't forget me I am one of your very best friends Sheila. I will be look out for the post delivery at Christmas.
23 Nov, 2015
That looks wonderful, Hb! I haven't made any preserves this year. I thought it was going to be a green tomato chutney year, then they all ripened in the late sunshine. Those will make lovely Christmas gifts, and I bet they'll be very well received!
23 Nov, 2015
They look wonderful Sheila your family will be thrilled with them , we've done our pickled onions & Beetroot and would you believe I've also made my mince pies and sausage rolls for the freezer ,I'm so ahead of myself Lol ...
24 Nov, 2015
wow, your an alchemist in the kitchen. Very talented.
24 Nov, 2015
Sheila I always use a pastry recipe from Delia Smiths Christmas book it makes lovely buttery 'quick flaky pastry ' you need to freeze the butter before you start to enable you to grate it into the flour ,you can then freeze the sausage rolls raw taking a few out at a time as you need them to bake , if you don't have the recipe I can PM you with It :o)
25 Nov, 2015
I have been getting ahead with baking, too. Freezing sausage rolls and mince pies uncooked is ideal - they go straight into the oven for fresh bakes when needed. I always freeze cooked scones. They only take a few seconds in the microwave and are lovely eaten warm. I try to cook double batches if we are eating them so I can be sure there'll be some left to freeze!
25 Nov, 2015
What a lovely lot of home preserves. Also a special present for the people who ware going to receive them too. It sounds as though everyone has been busy cooking for Christmas. I will make some mince pies nearer the time. Happy baking...great eating!!!
26 Nov, 2015
Wow! You have been busy, wish I was your neighbour as I would of come in for a taste of them whats in your jar's LOL
28 Nov, 2015
You're welcome. These are especially delicious during the dismal winter months. Items like these always go like hotcakes at the farmers' markets. "$!"
5 Dec, 2015
Oh my goodness was a lovely array of goodies, lucky family is all I can say!! and well done.
8 Dec, 2015
Pictures by homebird
2196 of 2927
What else?
Members who like this photo
-
Gardening with friends since
9 Mar, 2012 -
Gardening with friends since
17 Nov, 2014 -
Gardening with friends since
11 Sep, 2013 -
Gardening with friends since
13 May, 2014 -
Gardening with friends since
23 Feb, 2011 -
Gardening with friends since
14 Aug, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
21 Nov, 2013 -
Gardening with friends since
24 Mar, 2011 -
Gardening with friends since
28 Mar, 2010 -
Gardening with friends since
16 Apr, 2012 -
Gardening with friends since
31 Oct, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
17 Apr, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
1 Oct, 2013 -
Gardening with friends since
5 May, 2010 -
Gardening with friends since
14 Jul, 2012 -
Gardening with friends since
27 Sep, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
10 Oct, 2008
My goodness you have been busy! Your friends and family are very lucky to have such tasty treats to look forward to.
22 Nov, 2015