Harvest.
Monday, September 3, 2012 at 11:01AM 
Remember my little miracle that happend back in spring? So this weekend, it was finally time to harvest the elderberries. I didn´t even take it all and look how huge this box is (also, note my fancy storage system).
Also, plums. So many plums. I counted and we have eleven plum trees in our garden. That happens when a garden is left unattended over 30+ years. There are a few unhealthy and old trees though which we´ll cut down this winter.
If you are from Bavaria like I am, you do this with plums: yeast cake. It´s divine and for me, the essence of summer. I made two sheets and put most of it in the freezer. I bet it tastes good in winter, too.
Also, I made plum butter for the first time. It turned out delicious. And there are eleven jars of elderberry jam. It´s such a hassle to make but so so good. (Also this stuff would make a great natural dye. My hands and nails are still black. Yikes.)
Next up, apples!
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, what an amazing harvest! I grew up in a very rural part of England so I love posts like this - we would always gather blackberries and damsons and crab apples in autumn to make jam and chutney. It's one of the main things I miss now I live in London. Sometimes the closest I get to nature is through your blog... tragic huh?
OK so these are damsons and not plums, yes? You live you learn. :) And as long as you don´t miss nature it´s not tragic at all!
I'm not too good with plants but I think damsons are usually a bit smaller and darker than normal plums? And they make even better jam :-)
I need to try that Yeast Cake - never heard of it before and it looks DELICIOUS!
Yes, there´s a difference in the German language as well. I just thought both varieties are "plums" in English. :)
Try the cake, it´s one of my favorites. Make sure to add lots of whipped cream when eating it!
The yeast cake looks amazing. What treasure you have in your own orchard! And lots of work!
wow!everything looks great! i'm waiting for apples too! I wish you a very nice weekend:)
What a bounty! Love how you've been able to use all of it in so many ways.