Grapes...may seem odd...

La Quinta · August 25, 2007, 03:27:00 PM

My husband and I actually have an arbour (sp?) that grew about 10 pounds of grapes...we bagged them and put them in the "garage fridge". I have no idea what the hell to do with them...any advice? They're champagne grapes (both white and red). I thought about grape jelly but...don't have the jars and all of that...could we puree them and make some sort of compote? And then how do I store that? Very hot where I live...Help?

Gizmo · August 25, 2007, 03:55:41 PM

From what I have read they are suppose to be sweet?

If you have a dehydrator, I would make fruit rollups after trying the dishes below.

Make some grape shaved icy by blending up some grapes with water and sugar to taste. Pour into a baking pan that is small enought to fit into the freezer. When the water starts to freeze, give it a stir once in a while to create the shaved ice. Of course adding alcohol can add a new dimension as well.

Here is a recipe I found for Champagne Grapes and Sauteed Chicken. Judging from the ingredients, it sounds tasty.

http://melissas.com/recipes/index.cfm?Recipe_ID=1225

For fish:

Chapagne Grape and Shrimp Salad sandwiches
http://www.recipezaar.com/48057

Founder with Champagne Grapes.
http://friendseat.com/recipe.php?recipes_id=29958

La Quinta · August 25, 2007, 04:05:37 PM

Thanks Giz...we were thinking sweet...but savory may be better! I like the granita idea though...didn't think of that!! The stem picking is a huge pain in the arse!!!

Gizmo · August 25, 2007, 04:06:25 PM

So are your grapes pea size?

Wildcat · August 25, 2007, 06:09:39 PM

I preserve my grapes by making wine! ;D

Gizmo · August 25, 2007, 07:29:40 PM

Wildcat,
That would explain the purple toes. ;D

Consiglieri · August 25, 2007, 10:55:54 PM

Cat: Please share that experience. I've made plenty of beer and helped friends make what I call pot luck wine (not enough of a single varietal to stand out), but never with much success vintage wise. Some has worked its way into some great grappa, but that's a different story and brings out some of the prohibition stories from the old timers. ;)

Wildcat · August 26, 2007, 04:49:55 AM

Wine making is very easy, but it takes time to make it right. You would need some supplies. I normally make it 5 - 6 gallons at a time due to the time it takes. You can make it by the gallon though. Wine is essentially made with sugar, water, and the correct type of yeast. Grapes, berries, honey, flowers, etc. are added for flavor. The best advice is to first purchase a wine making book from a wine and beer making supply store. It will discuss sterilizing, PH balance, types of yeast, approximate times of the different stages, how everything works, what accessories you will need, etc. I have a good book around here somewhere and will post the name of it when I can find it.

Wildcat · August 26, 2007, 05:18:27 AM

The book that I have is "Enjoy Home Winemaking" - A Guide For The Beginner by Robert and Eileen Frishman. If you follow this guide, your wine will always turn out perfect. It is then a matter of fine tuning the PH balance and sweetness.

Wildcat · August 27, 2007, 06:58:40 AM

Consiglieri - I am not trying to brush you off. There are simply so many variables to wine making that it would take too long and too much space on this forum to cover everything. The book I mentioned is small and gives you the basics. The key factors are proper and safe handling, specific starting and ending gravity (sugar content), and to a lesser extent acid level (PH).

HCT · August 27, 2007, 09:20:35 AM

I usually just give the grapes a fast dip in boiling water, dip into ice cold, let them dry off and put them into the dehydrator and make raisens. I'll never buy boxed raisens again.

Consiglieri · August 27, 2007, 09:25:57 AM

Thanks, Cat. Didn't think there was a brush off. I've been away from the computer and didn't get a chance to follow up.

La Quinta · August 29, 2007, 08:09:16 PM

Giz..my grapes are wee little things...just a little larger then peas but we got a ton of them...I'm thinking food mill? A load of little tiny stems...anybody else grow these little champagne grapes?

Oyènkwara · August 30, 2007, 05:29:14 AM

I grow 2 vines of a seedless table grape – not the champagne variety. (I'm having a hell of a time keeping the birds and squirrels away from them this year)

However, a couple weeks ago my wife and I brought our son to school in South Carolina. After move in, the school had a parent's reception. On the fruit table were red champagne grape bunches. I must say they were very sweet and some of the best grapes I have ever had. Like you said, they were very tiny but numerous on the bunch.