The rain eventually came to the South East earlier this week, though it seems to have disappeared again. We really have had a very dry Spring here. The gardens certainly needed any rain they could get - keeps the Garden of England looking lush and green.
Of course, with all this dry weather, all the crops and fruit are also early this year and there is a real glut of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and blackcurrants in the garden at the moment, at least 2 weeks early. It's taken all us gardeners by surprise!
I love seeing the many cherry sellers along the roadside here in Kent. Cherries are typically a Kentish product, as pointed out in the quote in the title above from Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers. Selling the glut of produce by the road is a tradition that still continues here, so don't forget when you are driving around to stop off and pick up a big paper bag or two of those sweet delights. I prefer them just fresh and straight off the stalk. I don't think they ever get back to the house!
Making jam is one way of using up the fruit, but I always find freezing fruit is a great way to ensure there is plenty for winter time and the comforting crumbles that are made; however when there are too many it would be a crime not to use it fresh and create a lovely light blackcurrant or gooseberry fool! Easy as pie with just fruit, sugar and fresh cream. Yum!
When the gooseberries are ready for picking, another flower that is a fantastic accompaniment with them, is also ready - that is elderflower. Not only great as a cordial or "champagne" but they work really well with gooseberries in recipes. Try 3 tablespoons of cordial when you are making your gooseberry fool, add a bit of vanilla essence plus some rich custard to really make it creamy and you will have a fabulous pudding.
I'm looking forward to the next glut of fruit to come, the plums, apples and pears. If you want to go see the fruit in situ, Brogdale National Fruit Collection near Faversham in Kent is a wonderful place to visit throughout the year. It runs throughout the summer festivals for specific fruit, such as plums, cherries and apples; as well as for nuts; and you can gorge yourself, plucking straight from the tree, as you walk around the site while learning about the hundreds of varieties of fruit from the extremely knowledgable staff.
I may be a West Country girl, but the South East is also renowned for its cider (the alcoholic drink, Hard Cider, for any US readers of my blog), unsurprisingly for a county known for its apples. There is even the National Cider Collection that can be visited at Middle Farm near Lewes, one of my favourite places to take visitors out to. Perfect for children with an Open Farm, plus a great tea room and restaurant, the Cider collection as well as a fabulous farm shop. Here's a photo of me and some of my friends on a trip to Middle Farm a couple of years ago. We did bring children along, though I think we are the big kids here!!
Of course, with all this dry weather, all the crops and fruit are also early this year and there is a real glut of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and blackcurrants in the garden at the moment, at least 2 weeks early. It's taken all us gardeners by surprise!
Making jam is one way of using up the fruit, but I always find freezing fruit is a great way to ensure there is plenty for winter time and the comforting crumbles that are made; however when there are too many it would be a crime not to use it fresh and create a lovely light blackcurrant or gooseberry fool! Easy as pie with just fruit, sugar and fresh cream. Yum!
When the gooseberries are ready for picking, another flower that is a fantastic accompaniment with them, is also ready - that is elderflower. Not only great as a cordial or "champagne" but they work really well with gooseberries in recipes. Try 3 tablespoons of cordial when you are making your gooseberry fool, add a bit of vanilla essence plus some rich custard to really make it creamy and you will have a fabulous pudding.
I'm looking forward to the next glut of fruit to come, the plums, apples and pears. If you want to go see the fruit in situ, Brogdale National Fruit Collection near Faversham in Kent is a wonderful place to visit throughout the year. It runs throughout the summer festivals for specific fruit, such as plums, cherries and apples; as well as for nuts; and you can gorge yourself, plucking straight from the tree, as you walk around the site while learning about the hundreds of varieties of fruit from the extremely knowledgable staff.
I may be a West Country girl, but the South East is also renowned for its cider (the alcoholic drink, Hard Cider, for any US readers of my blog), unsurprisingly for a county known for its apples. There is even the National Cider Collection that can be visited at Middle Farm near Lewes, one of my favourite places to take visitors out to. Perfect for children with an Open Farm, plus a great tea room and restaurant, the Cider collection as well as a fabulous farm shop. Here's a photo of me and some of my friends on a trip to Middle Farm a couple of years ago. We did bring children along, though I think we are the big kids here!!
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| My friends and I enjoying Middle Farm! |
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