{"id":4668,"date":"2021-09-06T15:20:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T14:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slate-house.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4668"},"modified":"2021-11-03T12:41:41","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T12:41:41","slug":"its-blackberry-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slate-house.co.uk\/blog\/its-blackberry-season\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Blackberry Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Happy September! It’s blackberry season. Now is the time to fill your tupperware boxes and your bellies with this delicious harvest. Here at Slate House we’ve got lots of lovely blackberry recipes, tips on how to pick them and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blackberry Picking Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Happy<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Is The Best Time To Pick<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

End of August and throughout September is the best time to pick blackberries. Did you know that there is a legend of why you shouldn’t pick blackberries after the 11th October? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story goes, that the Devil was kicked out of heaven on the 11th October and landed in a blackberry bush. Apparently because the bush hurt him so much he either spits or wees on all of the blackberries from this date onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think it’s probably more likely that by this time the wet weather has spoiled the crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picking Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First tip, pick berries that are higher up and away from main roads. Why higher up you ask? Well, dogs love to water the plants and it’s always best to choose the ones that haven’t been given a sprinkling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren’t lucky enough to live in the country or rural areas then don’t panic because blackberries are found across so many areas. If there’s a hedgerow in your town or city then chances are there are blackberries growing there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose berries which are firm and shiny and make sure you pick the ones that are fully black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to only pick the amount of blackberries that you actually need. It’s nice to leave some for other pickers and animals alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Small<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blackberry Storing Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When picking your blackberries try not to stack too many on top of each other in your tupperware box otherwise you risk squishing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren’t eating or baking your blackberries straight away then make sure your blackberries are as dry as possible when storing them. They should last up to three days in the fridge. Good news, you can easily freeze your blackberries too if you need to make them last longer. When freezing make sure you freeze them in a single layer to avoid squashing them. Also, you can cook blackberries straight from frozen so winner winner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple & Blackberry Crumble<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Autumn means comfort food. There is nothing more comforting then picking your own blackberries and baking them in a crumble. Sat in front of the tele with the family and bowl of apple and blackberry crumble with custard. Yum! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve got two alternative recipes for you. One vegetarian and one vegan. Hope you enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crumble Topping:<\/strong> 120g plain flour, 60g caster sugar and 60g butter (we prefer salted but the general rule seems to be unsalted). You can also up these amounts depending on how much crumble you like on your dessert. Alternatively you can also add some porridge oats to the mixture for extra texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruity Filling:<\/strong> 300g apples (we recommend Pink Ladies, Braeburn or Granny Smith), 115g blackberries, 30g butter, 30g brown sugar and 1\/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chopped<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preheat oven to gas mark 5. Check out oven temperature conversions<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a large bowl place your flour, sugar and butter to make the crumble topping. Rub the butter in to your flour and sugar to create a breadcrumb texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make sure your crumble topping is extra crispy and crumbly, we recommend you spread your mixture on to a baking tray or sheet and cook in the oven for around 15 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst your crumble topping is crisping, core, peel and chop your apples in to small cubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over a low heat, melt your butter and brown sugar in a saucepan until it turns all caramelly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now add your chopped apples and cinnamon and cook for a further 4 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, add your blackberries to this mixture and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pour your mixture carefully in to your pie\/crumble dish. Top with your crumble mixture and place in the oven for around 10-15 minutes or until cooked through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now what to serve with it? Ice cream or custard? (scroll down this page to find our custard recipes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget you need to wash your berries. Why not do it in style with this beautiful Alice Funge<\/a> berry bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wash<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vegan Apple & Blackberry Crumble<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crumble Topping:<\/strong> 250g plain flour, 150g vegan margarine, 60g fairtrade brown sugar. You can also add 50g porridge oats for extra crumbliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruity Filling:<\/strong> 300g organic apples (we recommend Pink Ladies, Braeburn or Granny Smith), 150g blackberries,1 large tablespoon agave nectar, splash of water and 1\/4 teaspoon of fairtrade ground cinnamon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preheat oven to gas mark 5. Check out oven temperature conversions<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a large bowl place your flour and butter to make the crumble topping. Rub the butter in to your flour and to create a breadcrumb texture. Now stir in your brown sugar and porridge oats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make sure your crumble topping is extra crispy and crumbly, we recommend you spread your mixture on to a baking tray or sheet and cook in the oven for around 15 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst your crumble topping is crisping, core, peel and chop your apples in to small cubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over a low heat, add 2\/3 of your chopped apples ino a saucepan with a splash of water, agave nectar and cinnamon. Cook for a few minutes until soft and squishy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now add the remaining apples for a couple of minutes to soften them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carefully mix in your blackberries being careful not to squash them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pour your fruity filling in to your ovenproof dish and spoon over the crumbly topping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pop in the oven for around 15-20 minutes or until cooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fancy making your own custard from scratch? We’ve got both vegetarian and vegan versions for you. Scroll down this page to find our custard recipes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slate House Homeware<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check out incredible range of ceramics and homeware to serve your beautiful creations in style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Denby Halo<\/a> bowl really sets off the colour of the blackberries. Plus the Halo range has a wide range of serving ware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why not serve up your custard in one of our Alice Funge mini pour jugs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mini<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

LIGA<\/a> have a beautiful range of Scandinavian inspired homeware pieces. Serve up a pot of tea with your crumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Large<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Set the mood with one of scented wooden wick soy wax candles. Our candles are hand poured at our workshop in South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Autumn nights are drawing in so why not get cosy with one of our Slate House Welsh woollen blankets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"cuddle<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Custard Recipe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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