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%20JE LLY.html
Anyone can create delicious homemade hot barbeque recipes once they... Read More
Stuffed shrimp recipes will help you celebrate any special occasion... Read More
Penne pasta is a product of Naples, Italy. The pasta... Read More
What makes great homemade BBQ sauce recipes? Well, it could... Read More
Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More
My parents lived for convenience when it came to feeding... Read More
Whoopie Pies that is! Other known as "Moon Cakes"Wicked WhoopiesAmy... Read More
In the early nineteen forties,women shopped with ration stamps that... Read More
I have eaten some weird and wonderful dishes around the... Read More
Spain is famous for its tapas and, whichever Spanish bar... Read More
You can serve chicken wings hot or cold, for a... Read More
One year when I was growing up on our Wisconsin... Read More
Twenty-three chefs who cooked for world royalty and heads of... Read More
Many people are beginning diets that encourage low carb recipes... Read More
The custom of grubbing for Earthnuts, or Pignuts is as... Read More
Fudge is a treat that everyone loves. It doesn't matter... Read More
The Microwave Generation of the 1990's has now finished school... Read More
Numerius was a slave and ate one meal a day... Read More
FELIZ NAVIDAD...IT'S A LOW CARB CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS FIESTA!We low carbers... Read More
The world has opened eyes to the harmful side-effects of... Read More
Oh, for the lazy days of Summer.... As If!Nowadays we... Read More
Easy summer salads are the way to go, now that... Read More
Grilling recipes give people tremors just thinking of the explosive... Read More
Every autumn my thoughts turn to making chili. The garden... Read More
So, you don't think you can find easy gourmet recipes?... Read More
Ingredients:4 pcs Big Red Chili (omit the seeds) 100 cc... Read More
Sole/flounder is a refreshing sweet and mild flavored fish which... Read More
Have you been searching for cooking instructions for prime rib... Read More
Strudel Makes the WomanGrandpa Max loved butter cookies. He liked... Read More
These pasta recipes are excellent for dinners or parties.In this... Read More
Sometimes the easiest way to get children to eat healthy... Read More
Ingredients1½ cups quick-cooking rice 2 large onions, thinly sliced 250g... Read More
Many low fat low cholesterol recipes are usually bland and... Read More
You will find that this recipe is very easy to... Read More
The holidays are a time for friends and family and... Read More
Summer time is great for barbequing, but aren't you tired... Read More
Chicken wings with oyster sauce Servings: 3-4Ingredients: 12 chicken wings½... Read More
Summer may begin in June but, for many parts of... Read More
1 cup - uncooked rice1 teaspoon - vanillaa pinch... Read More
My parents lived for convenience when it came to feeding... Read More
When it comes to prime rib and there are two... Read More
Sometimes the easiest way to get children to eat healthy... Read More
Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts around today.... Read More
As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few... Read More
½ lb. Asparagus spears (top part of asparagus with the... Read More
Summer is nearing and it is time to start thinking... Read More
Cookware is always a rather contentious subject. I have seen... Read More
With the long hot days of summer, you will find... Read More
New York style cheesecake recipes are made with a combination... Read More
First of all start with an empty stomach. This has... Read More
Crockpots vary but the low setting is typically around 100... Read More
These days, its seems like everyone is looking for different... Read More
Beat the heat with these cool summer treats!Mouse PopsiclesIt's not... Read More
Almost every day I eat with my energy in mind,... Read More
Numerius was a slave and ate one meal a day... Read More
Nutritional Information: Serves 3, Fat: 8 g, Cal: 299, KJ:... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
This is a mouth watering steak. Every time I serve... Read More
Broccoli is a major EnergyRich ?, food and strength builder.... Read More
Firing up the grill is a great way to cook... Read More
The very best thing about having birthday cake is the... Read More
Pre-packaged store-bought box mixes are expensive. Have you considered homemade... Read More
FELIZ NAVIDAD...IT'S A LOW CARB CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS FIESTA!We low carbers... Read More
Are you eating enough fruit lately? How about chocolate? Well,... Read More
Nothing tastes better than fresh picked strawberries. For many people,... Read More
You can serve chicken wings hot or cold, for a... Read More
Recipes & Food and Drink |