Blackberries

Ours are still only in flower ……..but remember what a hard long period of rain, wind and cold we had April / may Everything is late, - well it is round here

The blackberry harvest is weather dependent. A round here (Oxfordshire) it can be as early as July, can be as late as September.

This year the cold weather in May delayed any flowering to early June. I expect a late harvest this year.

Had a lovely time picking them with grandson last year. I'm looking forward to doing it this year. He was amazed that he could eat what he'd picked.

Any suggestions beyond the usual jam/jelly/crumble?

I think everything is about 2-3 weeks behind this year due to the unusual weather patterns. Blackberries here in Oxfordshire are still in flower.

I’ve just spotted one that’s ready to pick this afternoon! Lots of pale pink ones awaiting ripening. I’m in East Yorkshire.
Gagajo blackberry vodka sounds divine. I saw a similar recipe somewhere using raspberries or was it redcurrants and Gin. I thought about doing some as a present for pregnant DIL as she will be able to drink again by Christmas.
Recipes I like using blackberries are to poach gently and then layer up with Greek yogurt in a tall glass as a dessert.You can do a layer of oats, crushed biscuits,nuts etc whatever you fancy. It also makes a nice breakfast.
Another recipe I do is to make a flapjack mixture using 5oz each of plain flour,melted butter,oats and brown sugar. Put half in a square tin put cooked fruit on top and then the rest of the mixture. Bake 35 mins or till slightly brown/golden. Leave till cool and cut into squares. I’m making my own mouth water here ?

GagaJo

Had a lovely time picking them with grandson last year. I'm looking forward to doing it this year. He was amazed that he could eat what he'd picked.

Any suggestions beyond the usual jam/jelly/crumble?

Blackberry coulis to have on icecream - freeze in small batches. I made some last year and it was very good. (Though I say it myself ?)

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/blackberry-coulis

If he likes cake you could make blackberry muffins

I’ve still got some frozen from last year? stewed with Apple this morning and spooned on porridge.

GagaJo later on in the year you might like to try putting some fresh cranberries plus the zest and juice of an orange, and maybe some cinnamon, in a bottle of cheap vodka.
Leave it for several weeks.
Christmas in a glass! ?

(Cheap vodka works best as it doesn't have a particular flavour of its own. The cranberries are best pierced as they have tough skins. If you can't get fresh I have used frozen ones instead).

I often make a compote of Bramley cooking apples and blackberries. Then use in a fruit pie or crumble,, or with ice cream.
I find blackberries on their own too sharp.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/blackberry-coconut-squares

This is delicious!

When you have a decent amount simmer them down with abit of lemon juice and a splash of water, add sugar to taste. When soft stain through muslin, really pushing through with the back of a spoon. You will get a delicious topping for porridge.

I freeze it then get it out mid winter.
A lovely reminder of summer.

Here we don't expect any until mid-August. We have only just got to raspberries and black currants.

Out spring was very late this year and wet and cold when it finally came, so there is very little soft fruit this year.

Oh ours are out and shiny black and we live in NW. They appear early for us. Been making jam. X

Bedfordshire here

Blackberries only just appearing.
Tomatoes still very small and green
Cucumbers only just flowered

I think everything's a few weeks behind this year

Last year I made spiced blackberry gin (I found a recipe online) and it was delicious. I also made some sloe gin but I preferred the blackberry. I've still got loads of frozen blackberries as there was a bumper harvest last year. Think it's time to make some more from the freezer stock to make room for this year's crop. Mine are still green so a while before I need to start picking.

We made delicious blackberry wine with our harvest, although our two little pickers, ate more than went in the bucket!

Noxious weeds here. Hate them.

I’ve been using up last years from the freezer. Blackberry muffins are wonderful. Use any recipe for blueberry muffins and use fruit straight from freezer.

I'm going to try spiced blackberry gin AND muffins. Can I ask pinkwallpaper, do you sieve the seeds out first?

We all love blackberry cobbler served with cream or custard.

Love the sound of the blackberry vodka. We always pick lots but dh is a bit lukewarm about pies and crumbles. Might try the muffins as well.

I never pick blackberries here - mid Cornwall- till mid August. I'll be making lots of bramble jelly but thanks for other recipes especially the gin. Not a fan of the seeds.

I don't mind the seeds, but last years jam was extra seedy. I'll get some muslin to strain this year.