"Preserving sugar" is what it will say on the packet... I believe it's got pectin added to make the jam set ?
Cheers bikething, ill keep my eye out for some of that.
Ive just made a leather of sorts from Hawthorns, and here is what I did.
I started of by taking off ALL the stalks, but next time I probably wont be so strict about this ( I didnt pick that many berries, so it didnt take that long).
Then I tried to mush them up with an old jar and push them through a sieve. DONT BOTHER WITH THE SEIVE.
Once I figured out the seive method was useless I simply started to mush them with my hands whilst adding dribbles of water to creat a thick paste.
Th separate the pips from the paste, simply get a dolop in the palm of your hand and squeeze tightly. With your fist still clenched wipe off the paste that has been squeezed through your fingers and slop it in your bowl. What you will be left with in your hand are the seeds and possibly some of the skin.
Keep doing the above until most, of not all, of the seed are out.
The paste you are left with will set all on its own; no need for pectin or boiling.
It doesnt taste amazing but it is VERY good for the circulation and is full of vitamines. What is better, it will keep for ages. RM (in Wild Food) had some he said had kept for 3 years!!!!
Stu.
EDIT: The taste is VERY strong. Tastes a bit like crab apples, but more sour. It could maybe be melted into a cup of hot water with some sugar or honey, etc to improve the flavour. Anyway, as I said before, It is very good for the circulation and contains vital vitamins so is definately worth the trouble to make.
Incidently, an Infusion can be made from the leaves for the medicinal bennefit.
