BUGS

[bonniethomas06]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone had any tips.

Foraged yesterday in the undergrowth and emerged with a carrier bag FULL of blackberries.

Mmm I thought, I can make some jam out of these and the apples I picked yesterday.

Left the blackberries in a bowl and went off to do other things. After half an hour at room temp, there were loads of little white wormy grubs crawling over them! YUKK I soaked them in warmish water to try and get the bugs to float to the top, but no luck. Was so annoyed that I put them in the freezer to kill the bugs off.

I now think that I should maybe have covered them in sugar or something to encourage the little critters out of the berries - I now face making ten jars of 'blueberry, bug carcass and apple' jam. Is there any way of rescuing my berries i.e separating the bugs from them?

I am not sure whether this is normal or not - they didn't seem to be 'living' when checked during picking - is there any other way I can get the little buggers out?

Thanks!

Bonnie

[Millymollymandy]

Yes, why don't you make jelly? Blackberry jam wouldn't be very nice anyway with that nasty hard core and pips. With jelly all those nasty bits AND the bugs will be left behind in the muslin that you strain the liquid through.

Personally I wouldn't go that far and I'd just compost the lot!

[Millymollymandy]

I still keep inspecting mine just in case thanks to that other thread but so far haven't found any wildlife on them. I didn't know the hard core softened so that is good to know - still think I'd prefer bramble jelly to jam though as I find pips quite irritating!

[Peggy Sue]

Oh its a bit late to worry guys, I can't believe you could taste a bug with all that sugar?

Personally I inspect as I pick (Dad taught me that I think). I give the OH a rollocking for putting anything in the bucket not inspected or with hull attached- poor guy has a hard life

Ofcourse you could make blackberry gin, they would die happy and be decanted off

[Peggy Sue]

It's just lovely trying you own jam isn't it- especially with extra protein

[bonniethomas06]

Thanks, feel marginally better and will definately be making jelly not jam - can't bring myself to compost them after all those scratches and an hour scrubbing around in the undergrowth

Ignorance is bliss.. these jars of jelly will definately end up in the christmas gift hampers! Hehehe

Thanks

Bonnie

[Millymollymandy]

Ignorance is bliss.. these jars of jelly will definately end up in the christmas gift hampers! Hehehe

Thanks

Bonnie

Hee hee, glad I'm not getting one!