nature’s harvest

Its delicate beauty is short-lived so capture the magic of elderflower in these tempting recipes: a zingy cake, a summery pickle, a refreshing drink and a fragrant tart

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING POLLYANNA COUPLAND AND EMILY GUSSIN

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: LAURA EDWARDS

DELICATE ELDERFLOWER lifts tart gooseberries in this elegant English-flavoured riff on a tarte au citron

Elderflower and gooseberry tart

PHOTOGRAPHS INDIA WHILEY-MORTON

ELDERFLOWER CHEAT SHEET

• Elderflowers are the delicate blooms of the elder tree; they flower from late May to mid June. The autumn berries were once popular for homemade wine

• Only pick elderflowers after at least a few days of dry weather – rain washes away the flavourful pollen

• Give them a good shake to evict any insects that might be lurking

• Use them as soon as possible so they don’t lose their flavour and fragrance

• Elders have been associated with witchcraft in folklore, and a magic wand made of elder is a key element in the final book of the Harry Potter series

• The flowers and berries of the elder have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It’s thought they might possess anti-inflammatory properties but more research is needed

THESE COLOURFUL ITALIAN-STYLE PICKLES are flavoured with fresh elderflowers, giving them a wonderfully sweet and floral flavour. They’re delicious served with a cheeseboard or used in sandwiches and salads

Elderflower giardiniera

Makes Enough for a 1 litre jar

Prep time 20 min, plus 30 min salting and at least 2 weeks to steep

Specialist kit 1 litre jar

BE A BETTER COOK

Salting your vegetables before pickling them draws out liquid, making the vegetables more crunchy. It also ensures the liquid from the vegetables doesn’t dilute the pickling liquid and allow bacteria to grow.