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Ok so there is loads within walking distance of my home and feel the 'need' to forage coming on. I am planning wine, chutney and hawthorn sauce. Any other ideas?

None at all sorry - I leave them for the wildlife

Hawthorn leather (a la Ray Mears)? Haws do that magic self setting gel thing when pulped & sieved to remove the stones and you can add a modicum of more flavoursome things such as shredded dried apple or citrus - or even pieces of gently stewed rosehip or chunks of dried damson. Whatever fruits you fancy really!

Plus once it's set if you don't want to slice it up and dry it as a leather, it'll still make for an interestingly textured hedgerow jelly dessert that can be served with cream.

As I type I have a pillowcase full of hawthorn hanging up in the kitchen dripping away for me to make hawthorn jelly tomorrow. Meant to be good with strong cheeses and game x

I'm planning HFW's Haw-sin sauce- http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/ch ... e_p_1.html

HMK

i have just made a bottle of the haw-sin sauce. It tastes quite pleasant. Its a little bit like a fruity bbq sauce.

Well we have collected another few pounds today and will be back out on Tuesday to get more. Just out of interest why would you want to leave the haw berries? There are loads here and it seems a crime to not use them!

welshmum wrote: Well we have collected another few pounds today and will be back out on Tuesday to get more. Just out of interest why would you want to leave the haw berries? There are loads here and it seems a crime to not use them!

Could it be that birds have a different opinion on that?

I wouldn't go to the bother of collecting them, either; I just have no need for sauces/jellies etc. But if you do like that kind of thing, go for it!

Just leave a few for the wildlife, too... Another winter coming on!

I use haws, sloes, hazelnuts etc from near my home but I always leave enough for the birds!

haw and blackcurrant jelly can be used for sore throats, either eaten by the spoonful or - very soothing - a good spoonful melted in hot water for a drink at bedtime. it's jolly nice too and worth the bother of jellymaking - which is NOTsomething i enjoy!!