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Picked Gooseberries too early

frenwick62frenwick62 Posts: 4
in Fruit & veg

I'm very new to gardening and have only dabbled here and there but I purchased a gooseberry bush and planted it in a container.  It seems to be doing very well and the gooseberries looked large and ready but I didn't read up on how to check if they are ripe.  I know now (having read on here) and the'yre not.. pretty sour ... As I have been gunho and picked a bowlful  - what can I do with them now ? presume they wont ripen any further ... Help! 

Last edited: 29 June 2016 16:22:57

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    I think I would stew them with a lot of sugar and make a crumble or pie with them. Gooseberries are naturally quite tart - even when ripe.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    I looked to see if I could find a chutney recipe because I know you can use green tomatoes for that. Have a look for something like that.

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    If you leave the bowl in the kitchen, not refrigerated, they may develop further.  We eat most of our gooseberries raw.  Delicious.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,143

    Jam image

    I pick half the crop now and make jam.  The ones I leave on the bush to ripen and we have them in tarts, crumbles or even just gently stewed with yoghurt for breakfast.  Lush!!! 

    Last edited: 29 June 2016 17:45:01


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





  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532

    You can get a variety called Xenia,their a dessert variety image

  • frenwick62frenwick62 Posts: 4

    Thank you to all your replies. Much appreciated

  • cowslip2cowslip2 Posts: 137

    Rhubarb and Gooseberry chutney is superb.

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