Seasonal Recipe of the Week

Three ways with Damsons

Damsons are in season at the moment. If you grow them, don't leave them lying around for the wasps to eat, gather them up and make preserves and puddings. You can even freeze them to use at a later date, just make sure you discard any bad or badly bruised ones, wash them thoroughly and dry them with a clean dish towel, they are now ready to put into freezer bags, and label.

You will also find them in supermarkets and at local farmers markets.

Damson Recipes

Damson Jam

Damson Cobbler

Spicy Damson Chutney

Damson Jam

Ingredients

1 kg ripe Damsons

1 kg granulated sugar

Wash the Damsons and stone them.

Place the Damsons in a heavy based pan on a moderate heat and sprinkle on the sugar. Add very little water to prevent burning.

As soon as the sugar dissolves and the juice runs freely, boil up as fast as possible until it sets. This should not take too long as Damsons contain a lot of Pectin(which sets the jam).

Pour into warmed jars, seal, and when cool, label and store in a cool place.

Damson Cobbler

Ingredients

For the Damsons

1 kg Damsons, washed and stoned

100 g caster sugar

For the Cobbler

80 g cold butter

200g self raising flour

100 g caster sugar

150ml milk

Topping

50 g jumbo oats

1 tbsp clear honey

Preheat the oven to 190C/ Gas 5

Place the Damsons in a deep ovenproof dish and sprinkle with 100 g of sugar. Place in the oven whilst you make the Cobbler.

Cube the cold butter and place in a large bowl with the flour. Rub in to the consistency of breadcrumbs and stir in the sugar. Gradually add the milk to form a soft dough.

Remove the fruit from the oven and place on spoonfuls of the dough mixture to cover the top.

Mix the oats and honey together and dot it over the top of the cobbler.

Return the dish to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and the fruit bubbling.

Serve warm with custard.

Spicy Damson Chutney

Ingredients

500 g Damsons, cleaned, stoned and chopped

100 g brown sugar

100 g onion, finely chopped

100 g raisins, chopped

25 g salt

75 g garlic, finely chopped

50 g English mustard

2 heaped tsp Cayenne Pepper

Red wine vinegar

Stew the damsons in enough vinegar to cover, add the sugar. Mix the Cayenne with the onion, garlic, raisins, salt and mustard and add the mixture to the fruit, stir well. Allow to stand, covered, overnight. Pour into small jars , seal and label and store in a cool place.