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Original poster

Who is making jam?

29 replies

FourChimneys · 12/08/2023 19:53

Sorry if there is a thread already, I couldn't see one.

It's jam making time, who is making what? Chutney stories equally welcome!

I made 10 lb of blackberry jam today, and plan to make plum jam tomorrow if I can find time to pick them. My elderly neighbour has a tree but can't pick them any more. I'll make the jam and give her a few jars. It's a good excuse to gently check up on her and have a natter.

It feels good to have stuff stored up for the winter. I rarely make chutney but another neighbour does so we usually do a jam/chutney swap.

OP posts:
Farfarfarfarfaraway · 12/08/2023 19:59

I made raspberry, blackberry and chilli jam this year! Will be doing some more blackberries soon. Need to find someone with a plum tree!

SaraJaneb · 12/08/2023 20:02

I'm definitely not making as much as you (blackberry jam is yum) but definitely starting some strawberry jam. Tastes so much better than shop versions! Good idea on the swap, I've never made chutney so many do though so it must be just as easy as jam maybe.

AlisonDonut · 12/08/2023 20:03

I've picked the peaches in next doors garden which are now frozen for jam later in the year.

We went out tonight and near the church are a load of damsons just about to fall off the tree so I'm going back tomorrow to snaffle some of them. Will make that tomorrow night.

And yes if I can be arsed I'll pick and make a blackberry jam in the next couple of weeks.

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Original poster
FourChimneys · 12/08/2023 20:54

AlisonDonut That is interesting about the peaches. Do they work well after being frozen? I hope you get the damsons before the congregation do!

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 12/08/2023 20:57

Oh, damson jam is the best.

AlisonDonut · 12/08/2023 21:07

FourChimneys · 12/08/2023 20:54

AlisonDonut That is interesting about the peaches. Do they work well after being frozen? I hope you get the damsons before the congregation do!

Oh the church is closed awaiting restoration, nobody will be interested in random damsons. Apart from me.

Peaches will be cooked down so will be fine once defrosted. I often freeze summer fruits and come back and make jam with them months later, in the winter when you need something to remind you of summer.

My best was kumquat, quince and persimmon. It was absolutely fantastic.

rumred · 12/08/2023 21:18

Just finished rhubarb jam and cherry jam. Need to get a wiggle on and get those blackberries, thanks for the reminder

cunningartificer · 12/08/2023 21:19

Keen to make blackberry jam... it's so delicious! Last year I made Myrtle jam for the first time which was interesting. Great with cheese etc, a bit like quince jelly. Also made grape jelly because of unexpected hot summer! Not sure they'll ripen this year.

Refrosty · 12/08/2023 21:20

I miss my damson tree 😭

rumred · 12/08/2023 21:21

@cunningartificer I made quince jam last year, first time. Was excellent

Original poster
FourChimneys · 12/08/2023 21:44

So many delicious sounding flavours. I need to try some out.

OP posts:
EvenlyDetermined · 12/08/2023 21:50

I did loads of strawberry back in June as I had a bumper crop this year. My raspberries haven't really got going yet (they are an autumn variety but are usually fruiting by now). I have had a bumper crop of cucumbers and made loads of dill pickles.

rumred · 12/08/2023 22:16

@EvenlyDetermined v jealous of your strawberries. Mine have been pathetic. Loads of cherries but had to fight the wood pigeons

AlisonDonut · 12/08/2023 22:39

cunningartificer · 12/08/2023 21:19

Keen to make blackberry jam... it's so delicious! Last year I made Myrtle jam for the first time which was interesting. Great with cheese etc, a bit like quince jelly. Also made grape jelly because of unexpected hot summer! Not sure they'll ripen this year.

I made a grape and fig one last year. Both were ripe the same week so I thought why not?

That was bloody fantastic added onto pizzas.

EvenlyDetermined · 12/08/2023 22:40

rumred · 12/08/2023 22:16

@EvenlyDetermined v jealous of your strawberries. Mine have been pathetic. Loads of cherries but had to fight the wood pigeons

If it's any consolation we have not had a single cherry. It didn't even flower properly this year.

rumred · 12/08/2023 22:45

@EvenlyDetermined yes that does help, thank you. Ours was ridiculously generous

EvenlyDetermined · 12/08/2023 22:58

We only seem to get a good cherry crop about once every 5 years, we usually get a few though. I think our tree is unwell, next door have some trees very close to the boundary which are younger than it but now much taller and have put it in total shade in recent years and it also suffers badly with aphids.

rumred · 12/08/2023 23:48

Your poor tree. Sounds like it's been harassed by the younger ones. Suppose that's just nature and life. Cut youths down would be my solution but probably unreasonable. Trees have a finite life.

rumred · 12/08/2023 23:49

As do we

lingmerth · 13/08/2023 00:35

Can any one provide their recipe for blackberry jam? I've let the brambles go mad in the garden and would like to try and make jam with the fruit .

Tintackedsea · 13/08/2023 01:01

I've made blackcurrant so far.

Also, piccalilli.

Bread and butter pickles, bottled pasatta (did 75 jars last year and finished them just as the new tomatoes were ready to go) kimchi, tomato salsa, mint and apple jelly will definitely happen.

Love this time of year!

MarieKlepto · 13/08/2023 01:11

So jealous! We are v far north. Our blackberries are still green things about the size of a pearl - amazingly, they get there, in about November! Blackberry syrup over ice cream is a traditional thing at some point over Christmas for us!

Gilead · 13/08/2023 03:01

Rhubarb and Vanilla is lovely, as is Gooseberry and plum. Redcurrants have gone into overdrive this year so lots of redcurrant jelly.

Thecatisboss · 13/08/2023 06:19

I made gooseberry and raspberry a few weeks ago due to a bumper harvest of both. That was delicious. I also made blackcurrant this week which is lovely too.

Planning on gooseberry chutney making today (froze the gooseberries at the time).

I love damson jam as well its gorgeous but have to either buy them or my parents giving them to me.

MintJulia · 13/08/2023 07:04

I'm making bramble jelly today. And I have a damson tree that is laden, so I'll do that next weekend.

I also bottle blackberries in light syrup, and ds eats them through the winter with cream & shortbread.

This year there seem to be lot of hazel nuts which I toast & pack in honey to add to yoghurt or cakes.

I love this time of year. 😊