Cape Gooseberry Jam

Cape Gooseberries sometimes appear in the shops but are easy to grow.  They are similar to  capsicum or tomato plants to care for. The plants take 5 to 6 months before the fruit is ready for picking and the plant should then be cut back hard to induce new growth for the next years crop.The plants grow into waist high bushes with papery 'lanterns' with fruit attached inside - big soft orange fruit - the unripe ones are green. They are very fragrant and great fun for kids who like to pick the lantern and find the fruit inside.

They will live about 3-5 years in a sheltered spot away from severe frost. They like dappled shade and moist soil but survive drought reasonably well.

The plant and unripe fruits are poisonous. The plant is believed to have caused illness and death in cattle in Australia.

It keeps well and makes a tasty jam.

Ingredients

• • 500g cape gooseberries

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 500g sugar

  • juice of 1 lemon

Method:

• 1. prepare gooseberries by removing outside husk or covering and wash the berries

  2. bring water, sugar, and lemon juice to the boil, and boil 10 minutes,

  3. add prepared gooseberries and continue boiling till a little will set when tested

  4. pour into prepared jars and seal.

Cape Gooseberry and Passion Fruit Jam

Ingredients:

• • 500g cape gooseberries

  • 2 cups brown sugar

  • pulp of 4 passion fruit

  • ½ cup water

  • 1 tab dry sherry

Method:

• 1. prepare gooseberries by removing the husk and rinse.

  2. simmer fruit and water for 40 minutes.

  3. add sugar and sherry and boil until desired thickness is obtained. 

  4. pour into steralised jars and seal.

Jams will keep sealed for up to 12 months but refrigerate when opened.