Sloes

[firewatch]

We have had a BUMPER early crop the trees are dripping with them. I have picked about a kilo already and going to make gin or vodka from them depends which is cheaper!
Do I freeze them now or just leave them as they are?
Can the berries prior to being steeped cause an upset stomach? Mims i think ate some toda and shes looking off colour now, its them or she may have eaten some red black berries and im not sure if they are poisonous when red? Just not sure as shes looking quite rough poor lamb!

[sunny-dave]

Sloes are so bitter before steeping that I can't belive that anyone could eat them - maybe the blackberries, but probably just a coincidence.

[firewatch]

My mother taught me a rhyme when i was young, if there black pick them free, if there red leave them be! Mi thinks most things are edible!

[atalanta]

If the red berries were deadly nightshade, which they might be at this time of the year, start worrying now. Take the sufferer and some berries to the casualty department of your nearest hospital

[firewatch]

I know deadly nightshade and it dosnt grow round here-i havnt seen any in our year a bit of living here she seems better this morning eating and drinking normallyx

[tonyav]

It's gotta be Gin, firewatch.

[ummmm]

Did she wake up feeling rough or was she still up?

[starone]

I think if she had eaten woody nightshade (that's the red variety) she would have been really ill by now. Deadly nightshade is black and grows on small plants very near the ground. It looks just like blackcurrants and could easily be mistaken for them once they are picked. (Good line for a murder mystery there).

[tonyav]

Hope mrs o dosnt see your post, Star. lol

[Tilly2]

I didn't realise you could make gin or vodka from sloes.

[tonyav]

Have you never had any sloe gin, Tilly. It's very nice indeed.

[Tilly2]

Yes, Tony I have tried sloe gin but I've never tried gin made from sloes. Or vodka.

[tonyav]

Thats because you can't Tilly.

[ummmm]

If I remember correctly Bednobs made some sloe gin.

[Tilly2]

picked about a kilo already and going to make gin or vodka from them depends which is cheaper

Oh?

[tonyav]

You have to soak the sloes in the gin for some length of time not sure how long if I remember correctly.

[tonyav]

Tilly, stop being a pedant. lol

[firewatch]

sorry my bad i want to make sloe gin or vodka, trying to type and juggle the icky toddler, ummm she went to bed about 9 finally as she was sick then woke up at and came in with us for a few hours but woken up this morning looking perkier than last night

[Tilly2]

You're all being very kind.

[Tilly2]

Don't you mean a deviant, Tony?