Foraging for food!

Welcome back to the Reads Allotment Retreat blog. I'd love to be bringing you an update with pictures from the plot, but it's been a hectic week to say the least and thus far we've not managed to get there yet! However, today we had one of those lovely summer days that you normally dream of in the depths of winter. I finished work at 7.00am this morning, and after a few hours kip we all went out in search of some free fruit. I'd read a snippet about a local plum orchard on another blog "Eight by six Gardening" and managed to contact the author to confirm the location.(Don't worry Amanda - your secret's safe with me!). We set off in glorious sunshine early afternoon, and we were eventually (no sat nav!!!) greeted by the sight of about 50 plum tree's growing in an open park. It's hard to believe we've lived just down the road - so to speak - for 3 years, and not known this was even there! Most of the tree's are pretty old and established, but there are plenty of newly planted specimens too. The tree's were laden with fruit, and within about 15 mins we had filled this 10 litre bowl to overflowing. Obviously I sampled some as I picked them, but the vast majority made it home to meet their fate - jam jars! Once we were done with the plum picking, Jen & Ruby eagerly set off for the swings, leaving me to explore the hedgerows further. I managed to find and pick about 2 lb's of Damsons, as well as about 1/2 lb of Blackberries. We'll be back for more of the latter as and when they ripen up! Just up the road from this secret location is a nice little farm shop. We called in for our usual: 2 dozen medium F/R eggs (£2.40), and picked up some Braeburn Apples (£1.50 for 2kg) and some Conference Pears (£1.20 for a Kilo). Ruby loves this place - buy her a little bag of chicken feed and she's off ! Next stop Tesco for cooking apples, then home to peruse our swag.
Purely by coincidence, our postman delivered 2 books today that I had ordered for Jen:

Jams and Chutneys: Preserving the Harvest, Over 150 Recipes (Hardback) By (author) Thane Prince
ISBN 13: 9781405329545
"This title lets you return to the good life. It offers information on all you need to know to make sweet and savoury preserves in an irresistible package, and preserve your harvest and create amazing jams, chutneys or preserves out of fruit, vegetables and even flowers from your garden. It comes with over 150 easy-to-follow recipes for making long-lasting sweet and savoury preserves to enjoy or give as a welcome present. It features a combination of traditional recipes, plus plenty of inspiring new ideas, and shows how to get the best from your ingredients, with clear guidance on all the equipment and techniques you'll need for making wonderful jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles, chutneys and relishes.You can pick up key cooking techniques from step-by-step sequences including identifying the perfect point of ripeness for different recipes, checking setting points and potting safely. It is perfect if you want to know how to preserve gluts in your fruit and vegetable produce, or for aspiring jam-makers and cooks".
Order from www.bookdepository.co.uk . Postage is free in UK.


Pickles, Relishes and Chutneys: Step-by-step Recipes for Home Preserving (Hardback) By (author) Catherine Atkinson
ISBN 13: 9781845432843
"This comprehensive guide opens with a history of preserving and pickling, which provides an insight into the traditional techniques and local delicacies. Practical advice and information about techniques, equipment and choosing the best ingredients follow in the authoritative and wide-ranging introduction, which is followed by the heart of the book: over 75 recipes covering every kind of chutney, pickle and condiment. Explore accompaniments to meats and poultry, from traditional basics, such as Horseradish or Mint Sauce, to modern flavours, such as Roasted Red Pepper and Chilli Ketchup or Cranberry and Red Onion Relish. Accompany seafood with Lemongrass and Ginger Jelly or serve oysters with Bloody Mary Relish. With its wonderful photography and comprehensive and exciting recipe list, this is the perfect source book for every cook who wishes to know more about chutneys and pickles. Catherine Atkinson is a trained Cordon Bleu cook who has worked in a number of restaurants including the Roux Brothers' patisseries. She also worked as Deputy Cookery Editor on Woman's Weekly magazine". Again, ordered from the Book Depository.

Now as I sit here typing, the 2 lbs of Damson's are nearly Jam, and smell delicious. The rain is thundering down outside - lovely - watering the plot for me in my absence.
Sunday I hope to get my greenhouse, that has been donated by a work colleague. It's an old 6' x 7' one, but in pretty good condition. It will need a base preparing and re-assembling on site, but will be well used. Can't wait!

That's about it for now, but please come back soon for more updates from the plot.

Take care all, and enjoy your plots and gardens.

TTFN.