The Cottage Smallholder

My daughter told me that her rose hips are already falling off the bushes so off I went this afternoon with hubby and dog in tow to pick some and I was amazed at how many of the bushes previouly laden were now looking rather sparse. Maybe over anxious pickers like myself I thought but no, loads of hips on ground and all the leaves gone as well. Fortunately there are acres of grounds where we walk with hundreds of bushes so still plenty to choose from. We picked a few from each bush we passed and soon had a large bag full which I picked over and cleaned up this afternoon. Will pop them in freezer and hope for the best.

Wonder why they dropping tho

Hattie said:

Hi Maura, 

As I now have a steam juice extractor I thought I would try doing the first steaming with the hips whole, which will soften them, then put them through the food processor & then back in the steamer again with the 2nd amount of water, then strain all of the liquid.  What do you think?

Sounds like a good idea - might be a bit messy but worth a go. Now I'm wondering if you really need to steam them twice when using a steam juicer? Last year I put a muslin square in the bottom of the steamer pan before putting fruit in whole and only steamed them once. Then when I drained the juice I put another clean square of muslin over the jug I was draining juice into and that way the juice was lovely and clear and no hairs or bits to worry about. Thinking back on it I must have just followed the details given from the http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/steam-juicers/Mehu-.....es.pdf as I only steamed it once. Do you know why they do 2 lots of boiling with the jelly bag method? The Jam world recipe only boils once and the jelly I made last year tastes really good so I'm not too sure if it is necessary to boil or steam twice. I have 2 large bags hips in the freezer with 1kg hips in each bag so might try doing it both ways to see if any difference (if I get the time ) When are you thinking of doing yours? I desperately need some 8 oz jam jars for the jelly so might have to go buy some as only large ones left.

By the way - I have 9 jars (assorted sizes) of failed lavender jelly  It tastes lovely but would not set for me. It doesn't have much of a lavender flavour either so I'm thinking maybe I could use it to add to something else. It's like a very loose wobbly jelly at the minute so might use it to add to other fruit jellys.

p.s Aly - don't laugh but I bought one little parfait jar from Dunelm Mill as it looked so pretty - cost £1.99 and if I wan't some more lids they are £3.47 for 10  but I do have quite a few large kilner jars given to me a while ago and still waiting for me to sort out new seals and rings for them. I'm so disorganised, I really need to get cracking and sort my supplies out. My excuse is getting Dylan the Villain rescue dog who is monopolising all our time these days.