Isn`t it hard to believe it is mid way through September? Three quarters of the way through the year!
Most people agree that it has been an incredibly fast year to date, and no doubt the remaining three months of 2023 will disappear equally quickly, and yes, Christmas will be upon us, but not before Hallowe`en and Guy Fawkes are fitted in.
September is my favourite month. I always feel that life slows down a bit and we enter the calm spell of autumn.
Spring is so busy taken up with preparations for the year ahead. It`s like a phoenix reinventing itself following the dark period of winter. General maintenance of all sorts take place, houses are redecorated, gardens are revamped and planted out and days are longer which gives the opportunity to be out of doors.
New life in the form of animals, birds, trees and plants burst on to the scene, and there is great anticipation for the year ahead.
Families pore over travel brochures, planning the annual get away, whether it be to the sun or nearer home.
School children start counting the weeks till Easter and Summer holidays. Further education students are nearing the end of their academic year, and perhaps their chosen course.
Summer whizzes by in a flash. Holidays come and go, friends and family meet up and summer becomes a very social time.
The weather plays a large part, as a warm dry U.K. summer can be fabulous, whereas a wet one can have us all reaching for last minute deals in the sun.
By autumn, everyone`s energy batteries and funds are running low, so a slower pace of life required.
That is what I like about it, as it`s time to take stock of how the year has progressed and to appreciate the abundance of nature around us.
Trees are beginning to slow down too, and by October we are treated to the wonderful range of autumn colours of russet, yellow and gold.
That`s not all. Trees and plants have been busy over the summer, and come the autumn all sorts of produce has ripened, from fruits such as apples and blackberries, to potatoes and all sorts of vegetables.
It`s a great time to do some cooking and stock up the freezer.
If you are fortunate to live in the country, you may be able to gather quantities of blackberries. Perfect for making jam, crumbles and vodka liqueur!
If you are even luckier and have fruit trees in your garden along with some vegetables, you can experiment with a variety of recipes and save money at the same time.
Delicious soups and chutneys are easy to make and soup will freeze well.
It is looking as if our energy prices will still be higher than a few years ago, so doing some batch baking and cooking makes sense, plus it tastes much nicer than shop bought varieties.
AUTUMN RECIPES
SIMPLE APPLE CHUTNEY.
1 1/2 kg cooking apples, peeled and diced. (If using sweeter apples, reduce the amount of sugar).
750 g light muscovada sugar
500g raisins
2 medium onions, chopped
2 teasp ground ginger
2 tsp.mustard seeds.
1 teasp salt
700mls cider vinegar
This is a basic recipe. Different spices or curry powder make interesting additions.
Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Bring mixture to the boil over a medium heat and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring frequently until thick and resembling a thick pulp.
Leave to cool and transfer into clean, dry sterilized jars. Seal and label with chutney name and date.
If using glass jars for chutney or jam storage, make sure they are sterilized beforehand, plus the lids if they are being used. (Do not microwave lids).
There are several methods. Boiling in water for 15 minutes, heated in oven at 140C for 10 minutes or microwave on high heat for 60 seconds, (wet jar first before microwaving).
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VODKA LIQUEUR
1 Kg Blackberries
250g granulated sugar
1 bottle 70 cl vodka
Wash blackberries and place in a sterilized 2 litre jar. Add sugar, and lightly mash berries and sugar together.
Pour in vodka.
Seal jar and shake.
Leave to infuse in a cool dark place for 2-4 weeks. Strain and fill bottles.
Best served chilled.(Freezer).
Some recipes add brandy or vanilla.
The blackberry pulp that is left can be used as a filling for a blackberry tart, or crumble. Add some apple, lemon juice and perhaps more sugar. Beware, serve with caution as very alcoholic!
