Damson jam

Making jam in this weather?!!!*** I know, but tell the damson tree, the fruit is ripe and dropping and my freezer has no space, it is already crammed full with other fruit. We switched the Aga off days ago in order to keep the house cool, something that happens only rarely. Himself is happy, he loves stir fries and the small wood-fired barbeque has been set up outside where he creates impressive displays of cooking in the wok. (A man, food and fire - my, what a thing to behold!)
Anyway, back to the grind, I had the job of processing a bucket load of damsons before they spoiled in the heat.

With the Aga out of action I had to resort to the electric ring and cooked my damsons in batches using 3lbs of fruit per batch, leaving plenty of room in the pan so that I could get a good rolling boil. I use just over 2lbs sugar to 3lbs damsons to get a good sharp flavour and it is a fruit that always sets well.

It's a sticky business!

But the results are worth it.  12lbs made today, with more to come tomorrow.