Can anyone recommend a book?

[ancee]

A book about preserving stuff? (I don't mean pets!) But jams, pickles, chutney, cordials that kind of thing. I've looked on Amazon and there are thousands to choose from!!!
Is there a book that you could really recommend and have tried the recipes and they work?
I'd much rather buy one that has been read by a Grape or two, and has recipes that have been tried by Grapes. Thanks

I'm hoping for gluts by the way - ever the optimist me!

[Scarlet]

I have " the basic basics, jams preserves and chutneys handbook" by Marguerite Patten.

Its a softback, hasn't got any pictures, but it is the best book I have for preserving and one that I refer to over and over again.

[veggiechicken]

I recommended a very expensive book in this thread http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ble_65930.html - and its still available at the hefty price of 1p
"Good Housekeeping" Complete Book of Preserving: Amazon.co.uk: Good Housekeeping: Books

[Rosee]

I got preserving for dummies but I haven't had a chance to even open it yet so not sure if its any good or not x

[ancee]

Just bought it vc! They have two left now for 1p each! I feel a but bad I would've paid more but why do they sell them so cheap?! Just looking for the one recommended by scarlet now thanks guys x

[ancee]

Just bought your recommendation too scarlet! They should both arrive within a week or two. Best 2p I ever spent! (Had to pay £5.60 p & p altogether) but the books were a penny each

[Scarlet]

I hope you think it's as good as I do! Happy preserving!

[mothhawk]

Like scarlet, I'm fond of Marguerite Patten's book. You can always be sure the recipes are tried and tested. Once you've mastered them, you can start to make up your own.

[ancee]

I've had to put this on this book link as I can't figure out how to do it on my phone and start a new thread! I know one of you will know but is this elderflower?

[veggiechicken]

Doesn't look quite right for elderflower to me - too many flower heads on the tree and the leaves look wrong. Crush and smell the leaves - if its horrible its elder

[ancee]

Oh ok! Hmmm I've got really confused then! There's loads of this near me and I thought it was elderflower! Ill crush it tomorrow good job I didn't pick any for cordial!

[veggiechicken]

It may be elder Ancee, but I can't see the leaves in your photo and the flower heads are usually more umbrella-shaped
Is it growing wild, or in a garden? This is elder!

[ancee]

This might sound daft but is elder not elderflower? I thought elderflower was the flower of elder, Er, flowering?!

[ancee]

It's growing all over the fields near me and in my brother in laws garden he's just moved in and didn't plant it

[veggiechicken]

This might sound daft but is elder not elderflower? I thought elderflower was the flower of elder, Er, flowering?!

It is!! I just think of trees by their tree name, because all year round it will be an elder tree so you need to recognise it with and without leaves, in flower and with berries. Whatever time of year it is, the wood will always stink