I am not saying I wouldn't use Queen Anne's lace, I would just want to understand what I am using. The jelly recipe intrigues me and tempts me to try it as a syrup for a Prosecco aperitif. I love gathering wild plants and do it frequently, but I know you have to be careful with these plants because they can be very powerful. This particular plant belongs to the wild carrot family, which has a powerful reputation in folk medicine. James Duke, an ethnobotanist has written several books on herbs used in healing, and I would start with him. His Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database is online at http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/ He also has published several books that are excellent sources.
I wonder if you could use it to make pâte de fruit? I also wonder if you could use it to make Queen Anne's Lace jelly: http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2010/09/vern_nelson_queen_annes_lace_f.html
I love the idea of using Queen Anne’s Lace, but you might want to read about the plant before you serve it to other people. The plant is used in folk medicine and parts of it, I’m not sure which ones, were believed to cause abortions.
Choose some fruits that are low in pectin and make jam. Low pectin fruits include apricots, blueberries, cherries, elderberries, peaches, pears, pineapple, raspberries and strawberries. Pears make a delicious jam and are in season now.
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