Cherry trees

This post was first published on 6/7/2018

Today I went to visit the old Cherry Tree in French's road and a new one on Akeman Street.
The neighbours on Akeman street were horrible and abusive, won't go there again.
The owner of the tree on French's road was lovely however, left him some courgettes as a thank you.
Courgettes are growing so fast in this hot weather, have started to dry them for use later in the season.

On Monday with the From Spade to Plate group we hope to make more cherry jam, so keeping fingers crossed that there will be enough cherries on Pauline' tree in the allotment and the ones I picked today to make enough for the group.

Whilst picking the cherries, I noticed that the walnut tree in Akeman Street was shedding some of its walnut, I have picked them up and put them in brine to pickle in a few weeks time.

A new twist on risotto - orzotto !

Last week one of the from Spade to Plate members mentioned that in all the time that we had done the weekly cookery sessions, we had not duplicated any of the recipes. This was mainly because I had been trying something new every week.

With it being winter there is not so much growing but there are still leeks.

This is why I chose the leek orzotto, which turned out to be easy and very tasty

Nuts

On my way to my friends Simin and Elsa, I found an abundance of nuts and fruit.
It was a glorious day, sun was shining with a slight feel of autumn in the air.
First I went to Simin to return her empty jar after finishing her delicious apple and ginger compot gift, which she gave last weekend as part of the Bring and Share event.

On the way there I noticed that the walnut tree on the corner with Akeman street and Stretten Ave was dropping its nuts. I picked up the ones on the pavement and the very kind builder who was working next door gave me some more handfuls. I was very grateful as I eat them every day in my salads. I better dig out my nut cracker so I can enjoy them in the months to come.

A few minutes later I arrived at Simin's on Lexington Close and when I was looking for a place to park my bike, I noticed a hazel across the road. No more nuts on the tree but on the ground I managed to collect a few hand fulls of nuts the squirrels had not eaten yet. With great excitement I have taken them home to see if the squirels knew something I did not.

The result: not one usable nut, the squirrels new better!

Then I went to see Elsa on Windsor Road, we had a lovely lunch and for afters went into the garden to finish picking the beautiful cooking apples on her tree. So great that Elsa has an apple picking stick as we managed to pick 3 large bags of unblemished apples  ready to store and turn into juice later next week.  Whilst picking we noticed that her neighbour still had some plums on their tree. Not many as most were rotting on the floor, but after finishing the apple picking we sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the taste of the last 4 perfect unblemished and sweet plums.  What a joy!