Maidenstone
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'Apricot' jamHas anyone else made the old war-time recipe for apricot jam, replacing lots of the apricots with grated carrot? It really works, you can't taste the difference.
I had a job a while ago harvesting organic carrots (on my knees!) and used the little carrots that didn't go for packing. They made lovely jam.
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Forget-me-Not
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JamNot tried that but was just given damsons, we have enough jam at present but would like to make sloe gin. Does anyone know if you can make gin with damsons?
Beth
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Julie
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I just made a jar of marmalade with the syrup left from candying some orange and lemon peel. I added a couple of pink grapefruit and reduced it to setting point. It is the most fantastic colour, pity there's just one jar really.
Luckily Gordon doesn't eat marmalade 
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Maidenstone
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FMN - a friend of mine has just made damson gin, I'll find out about it for you.
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Marhar
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During the war my mother made jam with carrots, it is a pity she left them in big chunks
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Fia
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I've made quite a lot of damson gin, but have the Keith Floyd attitude to measurement...
The damsons need to be pricked in at least 1 place with a pin - get help, it takes forever yourself! - to allow the juices to come out, and help the almondy flavour of the stone to permeate. In a litre gin bottle I fill damsons to about 1/3 of it, then sugar - shaking it so it gets in the air spaces - to a little bit above the damsons. Add gin, securely seal, shake vigorously (older children enjoy this) daily for about 2 weeks, then weekly until Dec 1st. Leave to settle and perfect for the winter festivities.
I've put carrot in apricot jam, and it was a wonderful colour. But recommend the wartime ruse of wood shavings in raspberry to pretend there's more pips (honest - my Gran did it!) is a preserve too far 
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andybebbington
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| Fia wrote: | ..
The damsons need to be pricked in at least 1 place with a pin - get help, it takes forever yourself! - |
no were near as bad as sloes did 6lb on my own last week damsen would of been so much easier
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Fia
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Right enough, Andy, sloes are even more mind numbing. I usually listen to the afternoon play whilst doing it, which helps...
Does anyone know of sloes growing Ballater way?... I smell sloe gin in the air
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