September has been a busy month in rural Aberdeenshire. The big machines have been working in the fields from early morning to late evening, tractors with trailers full of barley heading to and from the farms.
The stalks initially left in neat rows for a day or so.....
...before the baling machines move in and start making "Tractor Eggs"
These spread across the landscape as the harvest progresses - each field of bales denoting a successful "Harvest Home". The bales are brought in and stacked to be used a cattle feed or bedding during the coming winter when the beasts are brought in from the fields.
We've been making our own small "harvest" too. The Rowan trees in our garden are absolutely laden with berries, traditionally thought to be a sign of a hard winter to come. Last time we saw such a heavy crop of berries was in autmn 2009, and the winter of 2009/2010 turned out to be one of the harshest in living memory.
Such a crop of berries shouldn't be wasted! A large bag of berries is gently simmered, sugared, mashed and strained.........
...to make Rowan Jelly - perfect with game, meats and cheeses :o)
Mmmm...that looks very good!, indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Duncan, it needs to mature for a couple of months though otherwise it's a bit sharp!
Delete:o)
Harvest doesn't happen much on the west coast sadly as it's too waterlogged these days. Used to go through to Fife every year at this time just to see the haystacks and sunflower fields. I love the dry climate of the east coast. The 'sunshine state.' Like the jelly jars- that takes me back to making it as a youngster with my family collecting brambles,elderberries, and crab apples. Very evocative photograph.
ReplyDeleteGlad the photo brought back happy memories Bob, I did think of doing some of the Rowans with Crab Apples but couldn't find a suitable tree nearby... next time!
ReplyDelete:o)
My mam always made jam and when I was youger I would laugh and say 'whats the point life is to short to make jam when there are so many things to do'.
ReplyDeleteI was missing the point !.
A couple of weeks ago on holiday, we walked to to Lady Margaret's Tower and picked about 2 kg of blackberries. When we got back home I made some blackberry berry jam. My First time !.
Now ever time I open the jam and smell the blackberries I think of the beautiful day we had together. Perfect x
Enjoy your Rowan berry jelly it looks wonderful.
Hi Allison,
DeleteHome made is always nicest I think!
:o)