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Potential jam??

D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
in Fruit & veg

I have been passing this bush daily and am wondering if it could be a fruit I could make jam from or something anyway. It looks like bilberries from UK but bigger. The field is full of apple trees, plum trees as well and is adjacent to an empty old farmhouse so I am presuming they are edible - but obviously thought I should check with you experts first. image

Any ideas anyone?

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  • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
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  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I think they are Sloes DD. you add them to Gin, for nice flavour.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Or perhaps Damson? Try one when ripe. If sloe then it will be bitter,if Damson then tart and sweet.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,065

    Doubt if it's damsons in France but there are small, dark purple plums native to Namur in Belgium - pruneaux de Namur - and probably something similar in France.

    If there are thorns at the tips, it's buckthorn.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Sloes have sharp spines on the branches, which always go bad , so avoid. They could be bullaces - half way between sloes and damsons.



    Ferret around in the orchard and you will find treasure. I love preserving!!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    As has been said, if the bushes have thorns they're sloes - if they don't have thorns their either damsons or a hybrid of the two that we used to call Blackjacks. 

    Ideas here http://www.wildfood.info/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=9342

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    If they're sloes, prick holes in them and soak them in gin for a year.  Strain off the fruit and drink the gin.

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    No need to prick them. Do it the lazy way. Put them in the freezer for a few days. When you put them in the gin the skin will split and the gin will turn a lovely shade of pink/red. Don't forget the sugar!
  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184

    Hi all,

    Thanks for advice, the bushes do have thorns, very big ones actually, but they are very big bushes, so I have decided they are sloes. image

    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    They're probably not ready yet - a friend made, or tried to make, sloe gin a couple of years ago, but she picked the sloes before they were ripe and the resulting gin remained a pale pink and didn't have a lot of flavour.  I usually reckon to pick sloes in the UK in November.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LesleyKLesleyK Posts: 4,029

    I must have a funny nose because I can't stand gin (Reminds me of cheap scent) Maybe with vodka it would work.image

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