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Living off the land

 
Drying Fruit
olmec
Drying Fruit
Another way of dealing with surplus fruit is to dry them in the sun for use over winter.

Use a simple wooden frame with fine mesh / gauze stretched over and then place the cut fruit and put the whole contraption out in the sun.
17 Feb 2010
Blackberries
olmec
Blackberries
Wild blackberries are a bit of a curse round here, growing rampantly wherever they can. However at this time of year they redeem themselves somewhat by offering up sweet berries.
In addition to the thorny wild plants, we have a thornless variety in the garden that produces larger, more accessible berries.

16 Feb 2010
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Plum Wine
olmec
Plum Wine
With an excess of plums and apparently to much spare time, I decided to try and make wine. The process is reasonably simple, so I have high hopes.
No doubt as other fruit come ready I'll be experimenting with other flavours.

30 Jan 2010
Process
Elderflower 'champagne'
olmec
Elderflower 'champagne'
This sparkling and refreshing (mildly alcoholic) drink is made from the fermentation of flowers from the elder tree using a process similar to that of ginger beer.
The flowers give the drink a light, sweet airy flavor
10 Nov 2009
What's involved
Harvest
Harvest

It's that bountiful time of year again, summer is coming to a close and the land is offering up seasonal treats.

The apples are ripening just as the days are getting shorter.


22 Mar 2009
Hares
Hares
These large rabbit like creatures are fast moving and hard to spot with their natural camouflage. Ideal for food as they are a pest, eating young trees.
The cat always enjoys a bit to fresh hare and, if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I try cooking a bit too.

01 Nov 2008
About Hares