Pickled Victoria Blackberry, Ricotta Crostini
Pickled Victoria Blackberry, Ricotta Crostini
This is a beautiful canapé to serve at the turning of the seasons. The flavours remind me so much of the coming of Autumn and the colours are beautiful. It is one that always goes down well and a canape I bring out time and time again. Do not be put off by the idea of pickling. Despite sounding seemingly impressive and laborious this is almost a cheats way that is incredibly simple and takes no time at all. Look for British grown Victoria blackberries. They are larger and juicer and perfect for this.
Ingredients
| Serves 4-6 as canapés |
For the quick-pickled blackberries
125g Victoria blackberries
100ml water
100ml apple cider vinegar
50g sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
For the rest
12 thin slices of lightly toasted baguette, cooled
120g ricotta
runny honey, for drizzling
A handful of rosemary leaves
Olive or sunflower oil for frying
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to serve
Method
Begin by making the quick pickled Victoria blackberries. Heat the water, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat
Place blackberries into a sterile jar.
Pour over warm liquid. Allow to rest for at least two hours or overnight in the fridge.
For the crispy rosemary place a small saucepan over a medium to high heat and add enough oil to reach 1cm in height. Test the heat by dropping a rosemary leaf in, once it sizzles it is ready.
Have a kitchen towel lined plate on stand by and gently add the rosemary to the hot oil. Take care as it may split. After about 5 seconds remove the leaves using a fork and place them onto the kitchen towel lined plate to drain.
To serve spread the ricotta over the lightly toasted, cooled baguette slices. Grind over with a little fresh black pepper and sea salt and top each one with a pickled blackberry.
Drizzle over with some runny honey and finish with a few crispy rosemary leaves on each. Serve.
*A note on sterilising jars
There are various methods to sterilise jars. I find the easiest is to run the jars through a cycle in a washing machine; empty except for the jars. Keep them warm in the machine until ready to use.