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Challenge for the weekend... Elder.
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cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 12:01 pm    Post subject: Challenge for the weekend... Elder. Reply with quote
    

Elderflowers are open all over the place down here.

My challenge for you for this weekend is this; if you've never used elderflowers before, do so. Either make an elderflower champagne (remind me later to post a recipe), or fritters, or a syrup, a sorbet, or just sprinkle the little flowers over really good vanilla ice cream.

Elderflower is a great wild harvest, make use of it!

 
sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Definitely making syrup this weekend. I might try a couple of the others too. What type of batter would you use for the fritters?

 
judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I read somewhere that if you dry elderflowers, and then put them in with your stored apples, it makes them taste of pineapple!
I'll leave it to others to decide whether this is a Good Thing, but it would be interesting to see if it works.

 
cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 12:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

sean wrote:
Definitely making syrup this weekend. I might try a couple of the others too. What type of batter would you use for the fritters?


Something thin and light. I like to beat the egg whites, beat the egg yolks with flour and milk, and fold them together. Doesn't come out meringue like, but it comes out reasonably airy. Then I serve the fritters with honey.

 
Gervase



Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Lucky buggers - elder up here is at least a week away from flowering; a shame now the weather's getting warm enough for some lovely refreshing elderflower champagne.

 
Mad Dad



Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 407
Location: Nowhere near where I want to be
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have an elder on the lottie which will be flowering eventually (its grim up north) and Ive never tried using elder flowers. Never used the berries either (the birds get up really early round here and beat me to them). However, if anybody can post some recipes for the flowers I'll certainly give them a go and report back.

 
mochyn



Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

These southern softies, eh? Ours are a week off yte, too, but I'll be doing fritters, champagne & syrup ( the things we usually do). Any other ideas? Especially for things that will keep.

 
ButteryHOLsomeness



Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

could someone please post a few really clear photos of elder trees and flowers... i really want to try them but i haven't a clue what they look like and my searches on google have been, well a bit fruitless (you can groan now)

 
nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 05 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'll be doing the fritters too, and the champagne and cordial. Also some ice cream - if you infuse the flowers in sugar for a day or two, the sugar takes on all the lovely flavour If you want to cheat add a splash of cordial to the mixture instead

 
cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 05 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Buttery, there's a picture and links to more pictures in the may article:

https://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Wild_Food/Top_Ten_Wild_Foods_for_May/

Have a look also using the scientific name; put that into google images and you may have more joy.

 
jema
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28237
Location: escaped from Swindon
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 05 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Did a bit of "the rounds" today and yesterday and some elderflower is appearing, but i fgure a few weeks to see lots. Unless I am getting it totally arse about face and it is on the way out.

 
cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 05 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Interesting... Sounds like for elder at least, Cambride is way ahead of everywhere else. Most peculiar.

I've got my wine and champagne on, and had enough spare to make strawberry and elderflower jam.

Putting the finishing touches to the June article now (sorry Bugs, been very busy!), but I'll hack out some elderflower recipes next.

 
ButteryHOLsomeness



Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 05 6:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

cab wrote:
Buttery, there's a picture and links to more pictures in the may article:

https://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Wild_Food/Top_Ten_Wild_Foods_for_May/

Have a look also using the scientific name; put that into google images and you may have more joy.


thanks for the photo cab. i had a look in both my encylopaedia of herbs and encylopedia of gardening and they both talk about Sambucus nigra BUT neither shows a decent photo either i'm looking for something now on google

didn't someone say they smell funny as they're growing?

do they flowers smell nice? there's a tree down the way that i thought might be elder but i want to be sure before i go eating the flowers

 
ButteryHOLsomeness



Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 05 6:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

ooh i just found an excellent link for for a photo of elder here

https://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=85

 
cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 05 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

ButteryHOLsomeness wrote:

didn't someone say they smell funny as they're growing?

do they flowers smell nice? there's a tree down the way that i thought might be elder but i want to be sure before i go eating the flowers


The leaves smell horrid. The flowers smell either like champagne and ice cream, or something that comes out of a cat, people seem to differ on that one.

 
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