We don't need to quench our thirst now with summer's offerings as we begin to look towards autumns edible treasures hiding in the hedgerows.
They can take a little more planning than the instant sweetness enjoyed by the raspberry picked from the bramble, but a Hawthorn jam or Rose Hip tea are just as delicious and full to the brim with goodness. Like the hibernating animals that will enjoy their years hoardings, we have also evolved to bring food into the house in colder months, spending time warming them to keep us cosy too. Its time for aprons to wipe our hands on, slow cooking, condensation on the closed windows and sitting down while we wait for things to transform into a sweet syrup.
Our recipe this Sunday is taken from our book for families, launching next year, tempting us to look at what we might otherwise walk past each season and bring it into the kitchen. While we are still in the process of sprinkling some final touches onto it's pages we wanted to begin sharing some of the recipes as as nice way to end the week and take some time together.
Our recipe this Sunday is elderberry cordial. Once thought to keep the devil at bay if you planted it by its doors, the elder or elderberry bush has lovely delicate cream flowers in summer that have now been pollinated by insects and become purple, soot-coloured berries with a dark pink coloured stem. To seek out the best elderberries look in clean hedgerows and rural areas, avoid gathering near busy roads due to exhaust fumes and don't eat them raw. You can use books and apps to help you identify anything you forage if you aren't sure to be on the safe side. Using it in drinks and food is a really great way to bolster our immune systems before winter kicks in as they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C.
Elderberry Cordial
Ingredients
1:1 Water and sugar
1 cup of water
1 cup of caster sugar
1 cup of berries
Zest 1 lemon and slice into rounds. You good fit.
You can also add orange zest if it feels like a good fit
Method
Pick your berries avoiding picking from too low to the ground (dogs like to wee there) and to close to a busy road as they may be contaminated with fumes.
Without washing remove insects
Chop any leaves
Heat water and sugar (heat to boiling point but don’t boil)
Add your picked produce and add to the syrup and leave for 24 hours. We have left our Elderflower cordial for nearly 48 hours and it bought out even more of the elderflower flavour.
Strain syrup using a muslin cloth.
We hope you get to indulge in a slow Sunday and look out for some elderflower berries on a walk.
