to wonder why there are blackberries going bad whilst people complain that they don't have enough money to feed their family healthy food.

[froken]

We went blackberry picking today, I was expecting a couple of manky blackberries to be left because I hear so often in the media and on mumsnet people saying how they struggle to feed their dc healthy food and sometimes people saying they have a hard time finding enough money to feed their dc at all.

There was a huge amount of blackberries, we were a 20 min walk outside a major city so an easily accessible place for 1000s of families.

We picked 9 pounds of blackberries.

Aibu to think that it would be a good idea for those struggling to feed their family a healthy diet (and those struggling to feed their family at all) should be out picking the free fruit that grows all over England's public spaces?

no no - dont shut up holiday, just go with the flow!

the jam was not cheaper than value jam when you factor in electricity, sugar, pectin defineme. you can buy jam for 29p in tesco. there is no way you're making it for less besides which how many hours do you have to not be working for to make jam?

Even if you forage assiduously throughout the seasons, you'd find it very difficult to provide anything substantial. It's not really going to be helpful.

"Mum mum what's for tea?"

"Blackberries. Again"

Some friends of mine, young hippies living in a bus in the middle of nowhere, with absolutely zero money, did actually make a main meal out of blackberries once. Blackberry curry with rice. It was fucking appalling.

thornrose I'm sure Hugh F-W could make something of the droppings.

LifeofPo thats funny!!

swallowed - i priced my blackberry jam at 40p a tin, but that wasn't factoring gas. Took about half hour to cook though.

Apparently lime leaves make a tasty sandwich filling.

Hmm. Am wondering if I can get away with treating the older, bitter dandelion leaves like kale? Or do they definitely have to be young, pre-flower?

Blackberry curry

God yes, lifeofpo.

I find it really off putting (I'm squeamish about maggots particularly). Soaking seems to get rid of some, but leave them for a few hours and the larvae appear.

We picked baskets and baskets of them this year just the same.

VerySmall

factor gas and it's getting pricey LEM - factor time picking, washing, cooking, storing and it's daftness if we're talking about economic drive. if it's because you 'like' blackberry jam and enjoy picking them and making it then of course it makes perfect sense.

think the OP was suggesting it as a cure for world poverty though

Beech and birch leaves are edible too. Pop down the local park and you've got yourself a green salad. That'll keep your family going for months.

We collected rosehips most recently and will be looking out for beech nuts.

basil i'd say young if you want them fresh in a salad but older would be good in soups, stew etc wherever you'd use say spinach or kale. bitter but balanced out by other flavours.

fresh they're a bit rocket like.

Every child should have picked blackberries

It's more of a national trust things to do before you're 10 3/4 activity than an answer to food poverty though.

I have to say that some of the pleasure i get from blackberry picking and eating is the feeling of sticking my fingers up to the establishment tesco Citizen smith woould be proud

Power to the pickers!

I've never tried birch leaves!

every child should be greedy and curious enough to pick and taste blackberries.

no child should be expected to see them as anything other than a seasonal treat and novelty.

ds and i discovered this week that they're a kind of 1 in 3 thing as in 1 will be so bitter it makes your mouth pucker, one will be nearly tolerable and one will be delicious. half the fun is seeing which one you get and laughing when the other one gets a sour bastard. bit like coffee revels.

Elsie, what do you do with rosehips? I have loads in my garden?

Damn, should have thought of this when we were contemplating going to the food bank. Blackberries would totally have sustained us.