Hawthorn

The hawthorn branches are haphazardly stuffed into vases their berries starting to droop and shrivel without the life support of the tree. I should have gathered many berries to make a sweet and sour dipping sauce but I left them for the birds this year and truth be told I still have some in the freezer from last year. I always think they would add delicious sour note to so many recipes but the thought of sieving the seeds out dissuades me from trying. Next year When I pick them I'll cook them and sieve them en masse before freezing the purée in icecube trays. Experimentation will be easier this way.

My appalling circulation would benefit from some hawthorn especially at this time of year. A teaspoon of gently crushed berries infused in a mug of hot water along with a couple of slices of ginger would do the trick.