Currant bushes

[Squirrel]

I am from Southern Africa Sunbeam - moved around all the countries as far North as Zambia. Left the UK when I was three and returned for personal reasons 10 years ago now.

I miss Africa - it gets into your soul and never leaves - but I am a very happy bunny over here. I just love the seasons and the colours they bring! Not to mention the soil in my garden - I don't need a pick axe to break it up being sandy!

[Sunbeam]

Hi Slug, I used to pick blackcurrants for a local farmer when I was on school summer hols (july-sept) and they were always slightly sour - but not mouth-puckeringly so!

I use them to make a fool - gently cooking them with a bit of sugar until they pop and leaving them to cool before either blitzing and mixing with cream... or just stirring directly in to whipped cream (greek yog is more healthy - but I didn't get my gorgrous curves from eating more healthy!)

What veggies did you grow in SA, Squirrel?? Could you grow the more exotic fruits and veggies?? Have you tried growing any veggies from SA here??

[Squirrel]

We were able to grow all the hot weather veg most of the year round! Pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, gem squash. Most of the varieties are specially bred to take the heat - this heatwave is normal summer weather where I come from!

I have tried growing SA seeds that I have brought back with me (in sealed commercial seed packets) and they do grow, but don't fruit very well. My aubergines grew into bushes about 2 foot high and had plenty of fruit. Grew them in the front garden next to the path! Chillies and peppers of course grew like mad as did bouginviallia, pointesettias (spell?) and hibiscus.

I never had a green house until I came to this country! Didn't need one just planted seed straight into the ground. Cape Goosberries grew all year round giving enough fruit to make jam. Avocado Trees so large you could make tree houses in them, so much fruit it just rotted on the ground. A different sort from that you buy in the shop, so suspect it did not transport well. Bananas too! Oh I could go on and on.

The downside was the terrific heat in summer dried out the ground and made it like concrete! Being so hot of course it was difficult to work during mid day.
Any of the cool weather crops, peas, lettuce, beans, etc were difficult to grow unless done in winter - no winter rain where I lived.

In the Namib desert grew the most wonderful carrots! The soil is very fertile just no water!

[Slug]

Thanks Sunbeam - the blackcurrant fool sounds soooo yummy! At least now I know they're supposed to be a bit 'sharp', I'm not worried that they're not ripe enough.

I can think of some lovely recipe's that I'll have to try now!

[Snadger]

Yes.... I'm sure you would say that!

Some time ago I was googling to find out how to grow large show onions. I made the mistake of typing in 'Big Onions' as a search!!!! Phew... Certainly had an eye opener there....nearly had my eye put out as well!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

white currant jelly

Recipe for white currant jelly c/o Mrs Beeton:

Ingredients: white currants.
To each pint of juice allow 3/4lb of preserving sugar

Method: Pick the currants from the stalk, and put them into a jar. Place the jar in a saucepan of boiling water, simmer gently until the juice is extracted, then strain through a jelly bag or fine cloth into a preserving pan. To each pint allow from 3/4lb to 1 lb of sugar, accordingly to taste, and boil gently until the jelly quickly sets, when a little is poured on a cold plate. turn into small pots, cover with tissue paper brushed over with white of egg, fasten securely, and keep the jelly in a cool, dry place.

Time: About 1 1/4 hrs.

Another good idea methinks, but better if you had a house full of servants and your own cook! dexterdog

[yoanbob]

red currants are fine raw all others benifit from a little cooking.