Hello hello! Today is the 'second day of Winter' here in Australia (the official first day of Winter is June 1), and as such I am going to cheer myself up with a post all about Summer.. ! ;)
After yesterday's post I received a lovely email from a Danish girl who lives in California, and we got talking about sweet childhood memories and home made cordial.. Yum!
I remember vividly the arrival of the 'first strawberries' of the season.. Not imported ones, but locally grown, real Swedish strawberries bought directly from the farmer..!
My mother would send me & my sister by bicycle to buy them, knowing full well that we'd nab a fair few strawberries on the way home.. Because who can resist freshly picked, sun-warm strawberries..!?!
Apart from fresh berries, lots of wonderful, seasonal treats would make their way to our table through out Summer, and this always included my grand mother's home made strawberry (and rhubarb) cordial.. Sometimes she'd mix it with elderflower or red currant too..
I have been searching high and low for the original recipe she used when we were little, but I can't find it (to my despair!). But the one below looks pretty good and I might in fact attempt to recreate a 'glass of Swedish Summer bliss' for my own children. We're really spoiled here in Australia because we have fresh berries and fruit all year round..!
Enjoy, and please let me know how you go.
xx Charlotta
P.S.
If you can get your hands on 'wild strawberries' (the kind that grows road side or in the forest..) DO use that instead as these berries are so much sweeter. My favourite!