Rowan Jelly (Mountain Ash - Pyrus aucuparia)
Sharp and sour but sweet and succulent all at the same time, this traditional accompanyment to cold meat is bursting with flavour, and folklore !
'Rowan tree and red thread - have the witches all in dread'
On May eve Rowan crosses used to be worn in UK and were sometimes fastened to cattle (or their barns) for protection against witches and other 'evil doers'. Legend has it that the crosses had to be made without a metal knife to work properly. Rowan branches were also bought indoors on a Good Friday as this tree had a reputation for strong protection against psychic forces.
This 'mish-mash' of folklore and Christianity indicates older uses of the tree having been 'assimilated' into a religion that converted people by adapting their beliefs and practices to its own ends. 'Rowan' is the most interesting of tree names with connections to both ancient Norse and Hindu/Sanskrit culture. Spelled several ways it is connected to the old Norse word 'Runa' - meaning a charm - and being able to ward off the effects of the 'evil eye'. In even earlier times 'Runa' was the Sanskrit word for 'magician'. 'Run-stafas' were staves cut from the Rowan tree and inscribed with runes for magical (and most likely protective) reasons. The smooth bark is ideal for this purpose.
The Rowan was such a sacred tree to the Celts that many churchyards in Wales still include the tree, not unlike the Yew tree in English churchyards. The berries were much used by the Celts for brewing wine, spirit, flavouring mead, ale, perry and cider. Try squeezing some of the fresh berry juice and putting it into a gin and tonic - it makes a convincing alternative to Angostura bitters. The fresh juice is mildly laxative and good for soothing inflamed mucous membranes. In herbal medicine the juice forms the basis of an astringent gargle for sore throats and in the 19th century it was used to treat scurvy - the disease of vitamin C deficiency.
Rowan berries are around from July/August through to November in the UK and may even stay on a tree until January if the thrushes don't eat them. They are at their best for Rowan Jelly when they have attained full colour but are not yet mushy. They contain varying amounts of tartaric, citric and malic acid dependent on their ripeness. Cut them from the stalks in clusters and remove as much stem as possible before cooking. When made into a jelly the fruit becomes quite astringent and the tart taste makes a good 'digestif' accompaniment to meats such as venison, cold game or fowl.
Take about 3 pounds of Rowan berries and two pounds of juicy apples. Peel and core the apples, slice them and place them to simmer in 2 pints of water for 10 minutes, while you are washing and sorting the berries. Add the berries and simmer to a pulp. Use a potato masher to help this process if you like. Let the mixture cool a bit and then strain it through a jelly bag, leaving it to drip overnight.
Warm about 2 pounds of sugar and stir in the liquid mixture and heat to a simmer. I must admit to adding some pectin at this point as I have a problem with runny jams. You can do this and leave the apples out for a clear jelly. Add a knob of butter and stir to a rolling boil for a few minutes and put it into sterilised jars and seal. It is a most unusual taste but the thing that delights me most about this jelly is the fantastic colour.
With thanks to: J. Lust, C.L. Zalewski, R. Phillips, Edward Step
From an ebook called 'Wild Food' underway at simonthescribe. If you wish to republish this article (with this resource box intact) you will find excellent quality pictures to accompany it at
http://www.simonthescribe.co.uk/ROWAN%20JELLY.html
Related Articles:
Jellies and Jams by the CASE or as a GIFT BASKET - JellyBasket, Inc.
Ujena JAM Talent Search Week Cancun
The Ujena Jam has expanded well beyond an event for models and photographers. In addition to the featured search for the Ujena Bikini Model and Photographer of the year, the JAM includes other exciting events like the Ujena 5k Run, Ujena Jam Big Game Fishing Tournament and the Jam Golf Tournament. Every night there are exciting theme parties i.e. a costume party and a beach party. The Jam is an event for everyone.
Cancun UjENA Jam '08 Breaks the Records
Participants came from all parts of the world to this one-of-a-kind convention of models and photographers united by a single theme: to get ahead in the highly competitive field of fashion photography. The mission was accomplished at the January 2008 Ujena Jam held on the streets, beaches and jungles of Mexico's premiere resort destination, Cancun.
Everything You Need to Know about Kamagra Jelly
Kamagra, a drug that helps men with erectile dysfunction, is also available in jelly form. This is great news for men with erectile dysfunction who don?t particularly like taking a pill. Now that you know Kamagra jelly is an option you probably have more questions about it and would like to know all the details. Basically, it takes about 20 minutes for the drug to start working and it is effective for up to four hours.
Want To Get Into The Gift Basket Business?
From: Highly Profitable Business Everybody would love to make lots of money quickly, working from home, and only doing a few hours of work per week. I've spent the past two years trying to find a great way of doing this. Only over the course of the past few months have I found any "get rich quick" programs worth buying. I've been trying to make money online for a long time. I had a few small websites, but they never made much more than a few hundred per month. It was easy money and didn't require much work on my part, but I knew there were people out there doing better than I was and I knew I could do as well as them. Now, I've seen a lot of "get rich quick" programs. Most of these people make claims about earning $2000/day with Google or ...
In Defense of the Jelly Bean
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when he or she has behaved properly or performed some important task such as doing homework, or helping around the house? Understandably, many parents are hesitant to use incentives, such as prizes, or food treats, to influence their children, especially considering the negative comments by some, but not all, contemporary parenting experts. For many parents, giving their children rewards feels like bribery and to them, should be thus avoided.
Small Business to Showcase Natural Beeswax Skin Care Products in "Everybody Wins at the Emmy Awards" Gift Basket
Jamark Laboratories, Inc (Grand Rapids, MI) announced today that they are participating in the "Everybody Wins at the Emmy Awards" Gift Basket produced by Distinctive Assets. This unique gift basket, a favorite among Hollywood insiders, will go out to non-winning nominees in the major categories the day after the telecast.
Connor Sport Court is Front and Center at NBA Jam Session in New Orleans
200,000 will run, shoot, slam, dribble and mix with basketball stars and legends on game courts provided for this event by Connor Sport Court's association with the NBA.
Create A Gift Basket For A Dog Lover!
The choice of what gift to give your family and friends can often be a difficult one. One of the best gifts that you can give is a gift basket.
Jelly Mom Makes Parents Laugh Out Loud
Moms and dads get a much needed laughter break with "Jelly Mom." Parenting humor column by Lisa Barker hits the spot.
The Gift Basket That Is Right For Everyone
Great ideas for gift baskets are not so hard to come by. Whether you are designing your own gift basket or creating a list with pre-made gift baskets in mind, the ideas for gift baskets are never ending. You can find the perfect gift ideas in the comfort of your own home conveniently order it and have it packaged and delivered to the front door of the recipient.