Blackberry picking time was once a most important country activity. Country people would pick in droves, gathering fruit for jams, tarts, crumble, jellies, teas, wine, ale, syrup, vinegar, cordial, summer puddings and rest! Tayberry, Raspberry or Blackberry jelly is a great way to preserve this fruit for when it is needed in winter - it makes a great base for a hot toddy. Legend has it that wild Blackberries should not be eaten after October 10th because Devil spits on every bush at this time and they certainly lose flavour and become 'fly blown' as autumn progresses. Roger Phillips in 'Wild Food' (my favourite food book) notes that this choice of date falls around Michaelmas Day (allowing for an 11 day calendar shift in 1752). This feast day celebrates "the primeval war in which St. Michael Archangel hurled Lucifer out of Heaven and down to earth" and provides more evidence of how Christianity assimilated much of folklore for its own ends.

This refreshing tomato soup is a great cool meal for those hot summer days. If you don't like your food spicy, you can leave out jalapenos, if you like it spicier, just add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!