Sloes are the fruit of the blackthorn bush. They are a dark blue/purple in colour with a greenish flesh. You will see them growing along hedgerows on country lanes and along mountain paths.

This recipe was sent in by Judy Mansfield and involves chocolate, and so certainly worth a try...

Ingredients

Use one and a half pounds (650g) of dark chocolate broken into chunks.
One small packet of hazelnuts (crushed with a rolling pin.)
One litre jug filled with sloes- having- been- steeped- in- gin.

To do

Use a medium setting microwave power throughout.

Break up choc and melt in microwave for 90 seconds.

Add two handfuls of sloes and one palm full of nuts.

Microwave again for 90 seconds.Stir.

Repeat again until all used, melted and mixed.

Spoon mixture into two foil-lined rectangular dishes approx 22 x 17 cms.

Leave lots of foil overlapping the edges to wrap parcel-like.

Leave to cool thoroughly then wrap edges of foil over to parcel and seal and leave in the fridge.

"Choc can last until February so I`m told." says Judy...

Tip... if space is tight around Christmas time the chocolate dishes may be placed in a tin, sealed and stored in a cold garage.