Rowan Jelly

[Wapinschaw]

As the title, Rowan Jelly is an excellent garnish for any meat, adds a fruity body to stews and is a great accompaniment to strong cheese like Stilton or mature Cheddar. It is made like most country jams/jellies, simply boil the fruit, add sugar and pectin, extract the juice and save into suitable jars. Rowan berries were very good this year in Aberdeenshire, a couple of carrier bags worth were collected from mine and my neighbour's trees in an hour or so.



The first stage is to separate the berries from the twigs, leaves, caterpillars etc. It helps if you have an assistant.



Once the berries are separated, they are boiled and mashed to extract the juice.



The resulting liquor is quite murky, so it is strained through a muslin bag. If a clear jelly is required, leave it to drip in it's own time. If maximum recovery is required, the bag can be squeezed but this produces a cloudy final result. I had plenty of juice this year and so went for a clear juice, dripped slowly from the gambrel in my sterile garage.



The juice is boiled with sugar and pectin to ensure it sets. This is not jam, it has an astringent, sharp flavour. I went for a slightly soft set that spreads well on cheese sandwiches. I should have enough to last to next Autumn.

 

[tozzybum]

Can u sweeten it with sugar or honey or would this ruin the taste ?

 

[bogtrotter]

Can u sweeten it with sugar or honey or would this ruin the taste ?

Not sure but it's not supposed to be sweet as the OP said its an accompaniment to meat or cheese much like red current
jelly is but its a tad sharper.
If you want it sweeter you could try making apple and rowan jelly like my Granny did

 

[FrenchieBoy]

There are plenty or Rowan Berries about in this area and that sounds well worth while giving it a try! (And a damned good excuse to get out in the fresh air for an afternoon)
Many thanks!
Just out of interest what meats does it go best with please?

 

[gerarddwatts]

Venison!!

 

[bogtrotter]

Venison with out a doubt.

 

[woodmaster]

Don't have many Rowan tree's, but will play t a couple for future berry supply. Interestingly I found time last week to make Apple and sloe jelly. Done in the same manner. It is intended for accompanying meat, but to my taste is a little sweet. I'm going to try and reduce the sugar content and add a little pectin instead.

 

[lochty]

Venison, either as an accompaniment to steaks or roasts, or stick some in the gravy if making stews or pies.

 

[sh1kar]

Good with Lamb too
S

 

[FrenchieBoy]

Good with Lamb too
S

Now that really does interest me as I love a nice roast lamb dinner!

 

[Wapinschaw]

Can u sweeten it with sugar or honey or would this ruin the taste ?

It has a fair amount of sugar in it's basic form, the juice is far to sharp to do anything with and it won't gel without sugar. Too much would overpower it, as mentioned by a few others as well it needs to be a bit astringent. Again as posted, I mostly use it in venison casseroles which is the greater part of my venison cookery. I don't like lamb, I can't stand the smell. It is good with Stilton.

 

[tozzybum]

Thanks for this

 

[sh1kar]

Funnily enough am just sat in 67 Pall Mall and my grouse was served with it. Excellent accompaniment along with the bread sauce. Red currant can be too sweet
S

 

[sh1kar]

It has a fair amount of sugar in it's basic form, the juice is far to sharp to do anything with and it won't gel without sugar. Too much would overpower it, as mentioned by a few others as well it needs to be a bit astringent. Again as posted, I mostly use it in venison casseroles which is the greater part of my venison cookery. I don't like lamb, I can't stand the smell. It is good with Stilton.

Have you tried quince jelly with your Stilton?
S

 

[Wapinschaw]

Have you tried quince jelly with your Stilton?
S

No, it does sound interesting however. I would expect rowan jelly to work with grouse, I am not a game bird shooter now but am partial to pheasant, have not tried grouse but I imagine that rowan jelly would pair well with any game. This has given me an inspiration, I am about to start a thread about wine with game.