Wild Produce (and FREE!) mid August
The Elderberry, never not far from a cinema near you !
Blackberries
Hops climbing a wall (must be Kent!)
Above: Hawthorns starting to develop
Top right and right:
The Horseradish - If in doubt (they look a little similar to Dock Leaves for quite some time), dig down and break off a bit of root and smell it.
For the syrup: 1/2 pt white vinegar to 1/2/pt white sugar + a little salt.
Dig horseradish root in midsummer.Wash well and peel underwater.
Cut up the root roughly and put through the finest cutters of mincer.
In meantime make the syrup by dissolving the sugar and salt in tye vinegar over a low heat. Allow to go cold.
Use a wide-neck jar with a vinegar-proof lid. Pack in a little horseradish then add a little syrup - fill the jar in this manner. Make sure it is tightly packed and no air spaces are left.
This will keep 12 months or more.
To serve: To a tablespon of horseradish add same quantity of thick cream and extra vinegar to taste
I live in a semi rural situation. All these photos were taken within a 200 meter radius of the house.
At other times of the year, there's wild garlic, strawberries and chestnuts.
Don't forget to look up uses for stinging nettles (hair tonic, garden fertilizer spray) etc., plus rose hips and.....just about anything has a use.
Add to this, the wood which can be collected for open fires, it's good news week all round!
A low cost living indeed.
Cost effectiveness, saving money, reducing expenditure in the home and at play
(but not with this!