Fig and raspberry jam and erratic horses and weather part 568
We have a friend with five dogs that he comes to exercise on our grounds several times a week. It’s been very hot, so he brings water in a backpack, to transfer into a bucket for the dogs to drink from. The other day, he placed the bucket next to the horses’ fence. Big Mistake. Bijou, with his beady eye for a prank, spotted the bucket, emptied the water, and ran off with both the bucket and attendant back pack in his teeth to show the others how clever he was.
It’s not just our horses that are unpredictable; our weather can be pretty eccentric as well. Last night, to make the most of the warm, late summer evening, we invited friends to dinner on the terrace. (To sit on the terrace at this time of year, you need to be armed with very heavy duty mosquito repellent. One of our friends said that Luc ‘smelled like a horse’, not because he actually smells like a horse, but because he was absolutely slathered in an insect repellent we usually use on the horses.)
In just a couple of minutes, the weather went from balmy to barmy. We were surprised by a sudden drop in temperature and a gust of wind so intensely powerful that it took out three trees, caused a horse stampede, and cleared the table of its contents. We saw in the news later on, that our area had been hit by an arcus, which is a bit like a sideways tornado. Trust us to organise a dinner party outside when there’s going to be a rare weather phenomenon!
Recipe for fig and raspberry jam (makes 2 jars)
- 220g fresh figs
- 220g fresh raspberries
- 220g sugar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Place the figs, raspberries and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes, then add the lemon juice and blend. Pour into two sterilised jam jars.
4 Comments
Stacey Bender
At least the party was eventful! I hope my fig tree ripens the fruits that are heavily laden on its’ branches. I have so far had only three that were ripe but hundreds showing small promise.
The Healthy Epicurean
Yes the party won’t be forgotten! I hope your fig tree follows through on its promise; there’s nothing more delicious than fresh figs!
kristenann
I’ve never heard of an arcus! That must have been quite a shock! Arcus sounds like a heavy metal band or the name of a blockbuster movie about a thrilling weather event which I suppose makes more sense. The jam looks delicious and easier to make than I thought it was to make jam. I’m afraid berry season is over here though to try making it myself, except for blackberries which aren’t my favorite.
The Healthy Epicurean
I’d never heard of an arcus either until yesterday; we wondered what had hit us! Jam can be so easy to make with the right fruit, and so much nicer than shop-bought…