The return of the sloe

[Rebel]

Isn't this a grand sight after last years dismal showing? I'm delighted to see so many around. Funny old thing nature. Never really thought about them "failing" till last year

Red

Lots and lots of them around here this year. As you say last year was dismal. There are hundreds of blackthorn bushes in the hedgerows here and I was shocked when there were next to none last year.

Seems most berries are ripening early this year around these parts.

 

[rivermom]

Yo, bushcraftbob. What is this hawthorn berry and crabapple fruit leather experiment of which you speak? I am intrigued, because although I understood every word in the sentence, the entire sentence makes no sense to me.

 

[Melonfish]

hmmm haws there's buckets of them round here...
also got my eye on the Rowans too, always thought the berries for the rowan were poisonous. how wrong was i? i'm digging out some recipies for em atm

 

[Tengu]

There will be plenty of Damsons then.

My uncle loves them

 

[Colin.W]

I got enough sloes to make 5 1/2 lb of sloe jelly last year, the 1st jar was almost gone before I'd had chance to stick the labels on, the rest managed to last untill about the first week in november. I'm not sure if that's a testament to my jam making skills or just kids with hollow legs.
As well as the sloes I've noticed the rose hips are looking pretty good also this year

 

[Melonfish]

rosehips are something else in abundance yeah, reckon i can make a good jelly out of them.

 

[descry0]

No sign of ripening here yet of the sloes. I must give a nod to John Fenna for his fine sloe gin! one of the best!

I've been bilberry picking today and there's an abundance! lots of summer puds and pies to make. Though they are so ripe that they explode whilst being picked.

I also become very excited when finding a new location for ceps. They were birch (orange topped) ones and apparently they're not so good and become black when cooked. Anyone have a nice recipe?
We have a great crop of saffron milk caps here from sept+. They have a great nutty taste and have now become one of my favorites. Yum.

 

[John Fenna]

I must give a nod to John Fenna for his fine sloe gin! one of the best!

QUOTE]

Only one bottle left now!
Come on sloes - ripen!

 

[Greg]

This reminds me I've still got two bags full of sloes in the freezer from last season!
I wonder if there ok to use????

 

[John Fenna]

Yes!
About time you bought some gin!

 

[scrogger]

Its all happening!!! I have just made 6 large jars of Mirabelle Plum jam which is the best I have made yet. I made sloe Gin and Vodka last year first go and all is now gone. Plenty of Sloes ripe now but will they taste the same with the false freezing method?

Off to pick some more plums tonight to try plum gin and vodka aswell this year!! should make for a Christmas.(hicuup!!)

Blackberrys are a poor show though at the mo.

happy days!

Andy

 

[Night Phoenix]

None of the sloes are out anywhere near me yet everything else but, started making some rowan jelly but i really want a go at sloe jam and sloe gin

 

[TJRoots]

abundance of slows in my area, same story with the haws, damsons, crab apples, rowans and blackberries

they should all be ripe very soon and when that time comes i'll have no idea what to make first, probably sloe gin followed closely by blackberry schnapps then some plum and apple jam

TJ

 

[Night Phoenix]

abundance of slows in my area, same story with the haws, damsons, crab apples, rowans and blackberries

they should all be ripe very soon and when that time comes i'll have no idea what to make first, probably sloe gin followed closely by blackberry schnapps then some plum and apple jam

TJ

Glad to see you got alcohol first

 

[Mikey P]

I have a secret patch in west lothian if you're interested. last year I made two demi johns of sloe gin and I still have some left in the freezer. They won't be ready for picking until october though.

Well, I'll recce my new loc first and, if it's bare, I might take you up on that! We managed nothing last year and it's getting desperate!

 

[MartiniDave]

Over the yearss I've had good results with sloes, damsons and cherrys all steeped in gin to make liquor, there must be other things that'll work too. The cherries took about 4 times as long to work as sloes, but the end result was superb & you could eat the boozy cherries

Dave

 

[Tengu]

Im making a lot of fruit in spirits now...Sloes is next on the list

 

[durulz]

Well!
I know everyone said last year was a poor year for sloes, yet I still did OK.
However.
This year is amazing!
I have been out for a ride today and there are places I never knew there were sloes and there are shed loads! It's an embarrassment of riches.
Which has got me thinking (in between worrying about whether the government are trying to kill us off with vitamin deficiency - you bell-end, you know who you are) - are some of those sloes actually damsons!?
And yet I know they're not.
I normally harvest them in mid/late September. I don't consider myself a sloe-expert, merely competent. But I am left all a-tizz.
When is everyone else going to harvest them? I'm thinking NOW. I have a tough pallet (unless a sweetie acid drop makes my tongue bleed it doesn't even register on the taste-ometre) and tried a couple today and I reckon they're ripe.
Can't decide what to do.
My instincts say 'leave them for a few more weeks', but the rational part of me says 'pick them whilst ripe or else they'll be gone!!'
What do you all suggest, considering I'm in the south-east where things tend to ripen sooner than the grim ol' north?
Cheers.

 

[Tengu]

Damsons are bigger

sloes are a little smaller than my thumbnail

Damsons are twice the size.


I saw some sloes the other day; gaining their colour but Ill leave them a few weeks.

 

[nicodiemus]

My mum makes sloe gin. Has Sloes near her allotment. Has to fight the old boys for 'em.
It's bloody handsome, it is. Sweet as you like, barely tastes of alcohol. Dangerous!