Hedgerow Jam or Jelly recipes please

[perkipods]

I have got an unequal mix of a small amount of elderberries, large freezer bag of blackberries (in the freezer picked a couple of weeks ago) and a glut of sloes picked yesterday. Could anyone give basic ideas of what sugar to fruit ratios I should use to make a jam or jelly? Will I need any apples to help it set?

I have had a look at postings but it sounds like everyone has more experience at this than I have so don't want to get it wrong! I have only made a jelly once before but was following a recipe with exact quantities, this time it is going to have a be a bit more freestyle.

I have 2 x 1kg bags of preserving sugar so I am almost ready to go, just need a few pointers to ensure the results are edible.

[smallblueplanet]

I'm no jam expert but I think preserving sugar has added pectin? So if so you shouldn't need the apples to provide extra pectin (you can also use lemon juice btw). However I'm not sure about the 'pectin levels' the fruit you have listed has.

What are you going to make with the sloes? We're just now making lots of sloe gin!

[perkipods]

We're going to use the sloes for gin but as we've got quite a large plastic tub full of the blighters thought I could use some in the jam/jelly as well.

I've checked the sugar, it doesn't have added pectin...maybe a couple of cooking apples will do the trick?

[Lovage]

No need for precise recipe, - just boil up the washed fruit including a few roughly chopped. unpeeled cooking apples with a small amount of water til really soft then leave to strain in a jelly bag overnight.
The following day measure the liquid and add 1lb of sugar to each pint and boil to setting point
Good Luck

[Polly Fouracre]

You can set anything with a few cooking apples added.

[perkipods]

Thanks so much, that is exactly what I was looking for! I shall grab a couple of apples tomorrow and get going.

I may post what the results are like, my only fear at the moment is that the sloes will make it a bit tart but we shall see...

[WeeGarden]

Can you use eating apples instead of cooking apples?

Have just picked 3lbs of brambles and thought that I could make some jelly, and only have cooking apples?

[Hilary B]

Thanks so much, that is exactly what I was looking for! I shall grab a couple of apples tomorrow and get going.

I may post what the results are like, my only fear at the moment is that the sloes will make it a bit tart but we shall see...

With all the sugar you need to make it keep, a bit of 'tart' from sloes won't come amiss. Sloes are also a source of pectin.

[Hilary B]

Can you use eating apples instead of cooking apples?

Have just picked 3lbs of brambles and thought that I could make some jelly, and only have cooking apples?

If you only have sweet apples, you might peel and core (eat the 'best' bit) and just add the peels and cores to the jelly. That is where the pectin is. Alternatively, add a good squeeze of lemon juice as well.....