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| Mirabells on the Road |
Cherry
Plums and Mirabells
are ripe early and are now falling from the trees. They are basically, slightly
smaller, wild plum varieties. Very tasty, plentiful, and often found in clusters
in the wild or in parks, gardens or verges in the city. Characterised by many different
colours, yellow, orange, purple and even shiny bronze, these vibrant fruits are
perfect to gather at this time of year and easy to spot due to the bright, often
squashed, fruits on the ground.
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| Delicious Cherries |
I
have been supplementing my breakfast muesli
with garden berries, specifically Blueberries, early Raspberries and Wild or Alpine Strawberries. Getting up, then dropping down
into the garden to gather the latest ripe fruits, is one of my favourite things
at this time of year and my muesli tastes fantastic for the colourful flavour boost.  |
| Fruity Selection for my Museli |
Elsewhere
in the garden, my Peas, Squash and Cucumber
plants seem to be growing well, despite the extreme heat that is now assailing us.
At least the water butts are reasonably full after the rain in May/June. I’m
looking forward to the early “Snack” cucumbers, getting ready to add them to my
lunch-time sandwiches.
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| Poppies |
Tall
Poppies are popping up everywhere in July, you can easily gather the seeds from
the heads, by cutting them off and storing in paper envelops, keep them in a
dry place for later use. Poppy seeds add a unique, nutty flavour to
dishes, enhancing both sweet and savoury recipes. Their mild taste becomes more
pronounced when toasted, making them an excellent addition to various foods.
They also provide a delightful crunch and texture, in baked goods and
other dishes.
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| Blueberries |
Has
it ever occurred to you that Brambles,
the scourge of gardeners, allotmenteers, walkers and just about anyone who goes
outside, are universally hated until late July / August, whereupon they
magically become completely loved?
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| Strawberries |
For
many people, Blackberries
are the beginning and end of a fleeting dalliance with foraging. Young children
are trusted to go hunting for a fruity food not normally bought in a
supermarket. People get scratched, stabbed and entangled, blood is quite normal,
but everybody just shrugs it off, along with stained T-Shirts, as they scramble
to collect the fattest, juiciest, box of Tupperware filled with dark murderous Blackberries. |
| Unripe Blackberries |
The
short-lived, blood-stained bounty is eaten greedily en-route, smeared over
faces and fingers, then taken home to turn into; jam, pies, juice, wine,
crumbles, tarts, muesli supplements, compote, and any number of other puddings.
Blackberries freeze well too (spread them on a baking tray to freeze, then bag
them loose), so you can savour the delight later in the Winter, if you can make
them last that long.
Blackberry Wine
Down the lane Blackberries
run.
The bittersweet pang, of your
blood on my tongue.
Favourite flavours, temptation
- too good
Staring down from the hedge by
the wood.
A promise that you would not
hurt me this time,
The sting in my digits remains
in the wine.
Always something about which
to warn;
The hotter the sun, the deeper
the thorn.
A worthy opponent, with briars
to joust;
I want to crush you - to juice
in my mouth.
The green of the field, the
glare that can stun;
I long to pluck you - outside
in the sun.
Your barb in my fingers, the
pain in my palm,
That stain, it still lingers,
your extract a balm.
Eden emergent, the edge of a
stream,
Verdant the verge in the dark
of the dream.
Poetic Licence – by the Urbane Forager (2011)
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| Cherries |
Oh!
Did I mention Cherries in my last post?
.JPEG) |
| Our Cherries are Guarded by Ghosts |
They ripened.
We picked them.
We ate
them.
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| Yum! |
They were delicious, if fleeting...
.JPEG)
