Elderberry Day August 27th 2011 
 Badger Farm Community Centre.Winchester Hants SO22 4QB

The appearance of the lush black elderberries heralds the end of summer and this delicious fruit was celebrated at the above event. First a walk to find the elder tree, collect some berries and learn about its interesting  folklore, as well as its general and medicinal uses.This was followed by coffee with elderberry muffins. The fruit was then prepared ready for cooking.

First you have to pick the elderberies

Then you have to take them off the stems

and now to make some yummy elderberry muffins

Apple and elderberry pancake

A delicious elderberry syrup and a medicinal elderberry rob, used to ward off any colds or coughs were made followed by elderberry and apple pancakes. A good time was had by all. 

Recipe for Elderberry and Apple Crumble 

350g (12 ozs) elderberries 
450g (1lb) cooking apples
110g 4ozs white sugar
220g (8ozs) flour  
110g (4ozs) brown sugar
110g (4ozs) butter


Pull the berries off their stalks with a fork. Discard any green unripe ones. Core, peel and chop the apples into small pieces and lie in an ovenproof dish. Add the washed elderberries. Make the crumble by rubbing the butter into the sieved flour, then add adding the brown sugar. The crumble can be made manually or in a food processor. Sprinkle the crumble over the fruit  and cook at 350F (190°C or gas mark 5)  for 35-40 minutes. Leave  to rest for 10-15 minutes, before serving warm with custard or pouring cream. 

Testimonies 

"Had  a great day elderberrying and even made my own bottle of elixir. Really enjoyed the day".

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day" 

"Can't wait til the next"  
 
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