Farming Friends

We have a beautiful old cooking apple tree in our orchard and at this time of year it is laden with apples.

This photograph of the apples on the tree is one of my favourite photographs.

I will be using these apples to make apple crumble - my favourite, but what is your favourite apple recipe?

Join

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As The Garden Grows for more information.

The Nutritional Value Of Plums

Plums are a fruit that are a good source of;

• vitamin C,
• vitamin A,
• vitamin B2,
• potassium,
• and dietary fibre.

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Food Fruit Nutritional Value Plums

• Pigs love eating apples. (Well mine do, especially Cagney!)
• The apples do not need to be peeled or chopped up.
• The whole apple can be fed to the pig.
• Hiding apples under the straw gives the pigs something to root out.
• Pigs also enjoy finding apples in their drinking trough.

What shall I do with my damsons?

What shall I do with my damsons?

What shall I do with my damsons,

on this Summer’s day? (more…)

The garden is beginning to bear fruit………

Cooking Apples

Eating Apples

Pears

Plums

Damsons

Medlar

and

Cherry Tomatoes (I believe tomatoes are technically a fruit, but could be wrong!)

….can’t wait to harvest all this lovely fruit.

The plum chutney made by The Cottage Smallholder was sent as a thank you gift in return for the 6 guinea fowl eggs I sent for Mrs Boss the broody hen to sit on in our interblog guinea fowl egg project.

Plum Chutney made by The Cottage Smallholder

Yesterday lunch time I tried the plum chutney with a lovely chicken salad. Although I have made green tomato chutney before I have never made nor tasted plum chutney before and was unsure what it would taste like. Let me tell you it is delicious. I know what I will be making with the plums from my tree this year!

Verdict

• Dark, rich colouring.
• Good consistency - not too thick and not too runny.
• Sweet, fruity and tangy tastes.

Thank you Fiona @ The Cottage Smallholder for this lovely thank you gift.

The recipe for this excellent plum chutney can be found at The Cottage Smallholder website.

The Nutritional Value Of Raisins

Raisins are dried grapes and they are a good source of;

• fibre,
• potassium,
• iron,
• calcium,
• and some B vitamins.

Other Health Benefits

• fat free,
• cholesterol free,
• rich source of antioxidants,
• low in sodium,
• contain natural sugar (fructose), and
• no preservatives are used to keep them fresh.

Other Benefits

• A convenient, healthy snack that is easy to eat on the go.
• Can help to provide a quick energy boost.
• Stores well for months in a plastic container with a lid.
• Can be frozen.

Don’t forget about National Raisin Week In The USA which is held during the first week in May.