It's that time of year again...

[Mesquite]

When the damson are ripe and need to be picked

My local tree had a very good crop, so I got busy picking.

I ended up with just over 5.5kg in a very short while. There was plenty left for anyone else if they wanted to pick them, if not the wildlife could eat well

So I took them home, sorted and de-stalked them then washed before slicing and dicing 3kg ready for jam making.
The remaining 2.5kg has been sliced and diced and frozen ready to make some more jam next weekend

So on with the boil

First kilo of 3kg of sugar goes in. I use just ordinary granulated sugar.

Nearly up to temperature. I was aiming for at least 105deg C

Make sure you get a good rolling boil

With Damson jam you notice a change of colour when you're near to the set. You can also see how much the liquid had reduced down.

Time to start putting it in jars

3kg each of damsons and sugar gave me 8 large jars and a small jar of one of my favourite jams. It's also great with sausages and makes an excellent alternative to cranberry sauce for the Christmas turkey

 

[Trotsky]

Very nice! Damson jam has been a favourite of mine since my mum made a batch some years ago. Seeing your handiwork is making me want some smeared on a slice of toast. If only I had some damsons!

 

[Dreadhead]

ooo very nice Steve! I have several Damson trees in my garden and was wondering what to do with the fruits and when to pick them this has given me some inspiration cheers

 

[cbrdave]

We picked ours from our garden tree yesterday and the lovely wife made a plum crumble.

 

[Tony]

Good stuff Steve, we've got a tree full of them, very sweet and tasty at the moment... I think we've decided ot leave them be so as to avoid the responsibility of making something with them

 

[Janne]

Damson preserve ( jam?) is sooooo nice!
The best there is with youghurt or on toast.

 

[Barry Rowland]

It's been years! The last time I had homemade was before my wife's grandmother passed away. I really need to learn how to do this.

 

[Countryman]

Nice one.

I think it's sloe and damson picking at our place this weekend.

Won't be jam for us though. Cheers!


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