I believe it is true that fruit and berries that arrive in the Autumn naturally go with the other; how about blackberry and apple pie! blackberry and rhubarb pie is just wrong. The same can be said for meats that are available now, the start of the game season has arrived, and duck with pickled blackberry sauce is delicious.
This pickle can be made and used on the same day, or, jarred up for the winter season. if you drain away the vinegar, the blackberries are great in a small dish with cheese and biscuits on a cold winters night.
Ingredients
500 g Blackberries, or enough to fit into a storage jar 50ml red wine vinegar 100ml water 100g granulated sugar 1 tbsp. salt 10 juniper berries 10 black peppercorns
Method
sterilise the storage jar Wash the blackberries as quickly as possible so as not to loose the juice gently bash the juniper berries In a heavy bottom saucepan add all the ingredients EXCEPT the blackberries slowly bring to the boil and stir until the salt and sugar has dissolved, allow to cool Pack the blackberries into the storage jar, as full as possible without crushing them. Pour the vinegar sauce into the storage jar and seal shut whilst still warm.
I keep the jars in a dark cool cupboard and it will last all winter, if you make enough!! it can also easily be made with frozen blackberries, just add slightly less water.
Enjoy
SL