Rose Hips, What to do?

[vfem]

So I've left all my roses on my bush, and the hips have been there just swelling and swelling.

My question is now that I have a ton of huge ones... what do I do?

How do I go about harvesting them, and what to do for storage?

What I would like them for..... rose hips to dry for tea. So how do I dry them?

I would also like to make rose hip jelly.... do I dry them before I do that, or keep them fresh?

Appreciate all the help!

 

[Mattemma]

First you should send me some! LOL

No really I think some rose hip jam would be great. If I had them I would dry some,freeze some,and make some jelly with the rest.

 

[gettinaclue]

You could make a mead flavored with rose hips.

 

[lesa]

gettinaclue, do you make mead?? I really want to get started...

 

[Gnome_Czech]

When I had rabbits, I would give the hips to them. I would also give them the blossoms. Nothing goes to waste here!

 

[damummis]

Freeze first. It improve the flavor.

 

[vfem]

Oh, I read to leave them on the bush until after the first freeze? So I haven't harvested any. If I were to harvest some now, could I store in the freezer for the meantime or is it best to wait until winter either way?

 

[gettinaclue]

gettinaclue, do you make mead?? I really want to get started...

Not yet. Give me a couple of years.

 

[damummis]

Oh, I read to leave them on the bush until after the first freeze? So I haven't harvested any. If I were to harvest some now, could I store in the freezer for the meantime or is it best to wait until winter either way?

I personally pick them when they are big bright and orange/red. I don't wait till the frost. I throw them in the freezer and process them when I have time in the fall/winter.

 

[vfem]

Ok, so far none are red or orange at all... so I will wait... as patiently as I can!