It is (almost) just as well that we have had monsoon like weather this weekend! I have spent nearly the whole weekend in the kitchen.
As the rain has been pouring down here, we have taken any opportunity when it stops to rush out and gather some more fruit and/or vegetables.
So far this past week, we have harvested
Raspberries:
Raspberries
converted to Lemon Cake a la Daily Spud and just a couple of pots of Raspberry Jam, and a yummy Clafoutis.
Redcurrants:
Redcurrants
and more redcurrants
a total of 12 lbs! An awful lot of them! So there’s been Redcurrant Jelly and another Lemon Cake! Pounds and pounds put in freezer for later in the year and some shared with En Route. Anyone got any nice recipes for Redcurrants to share?
Blackcurrants:
There’s Blackcurrant Schnapps, home-made Ribena from a Ballymaloe recipe, and Blackcurrant Jam and a few thrown into that Clafoutis. And there are still 2 more bushes to be harvested!
Blackcurrant Jam
Home-made Ribena
Gooseberries:
They’re now a Gingered Gooseberry Chutney using a recipe I haven’t tried before from Denis Cotter’s book Wild Garlic, Gooseberries and me!
Gooseberries
Gingered Gooseberry Chutney
And then the highlight of the weekend…. and I’m not sure you would describe this as part of ‘harvesting’…. but we had the first of our own duck for dinner last night!
It was amazing, best duck ever!
Just roasted simply with some honey and herbs (again from a Ballymaloe recipe) and served with salad – all from our own garden – and some new potatoes.
Roast Duck
Salad from the garden
So how has your weekend been?
A Year In Redwood 
To say the Duckwas the best ever is an under statement.
What bounty! We went berry picking on Saturday and I made a lovely Bakewell tart and homemade strawberry jelly today. I’d love to get some raspberry canes planted (and an apple tree, and blueberry bushes … the list goes on).
Kristin…. raspberry canes I got from a neighbour this year. If you like I will try doing some cuttings for you. I think it is winter time you do it! M
Great work Guys – I will have to visit soon to sample! xxx
You’re welcome anytime!
Oh my goodness, that is just a superb way to spend the weekend. And I’m glad none were damaged by the vertical rain!
Gillian, there was so much rain! Only thing is it has made everything grow so well! There are now more raspberries to be had!