Asuco's Diary

ここ栃木では今年のサクラのソメイヨシノの季節も終わり・・最近では八重桜が美しい花を頑張って咲かせてくれている場所もありますね。本当にキレイ。。
そこでお友達のシノヤンの奥様ユキちゃんより嬉しいお知らせ。今年春に引っ越ししたばかりのお家の庭に八重桜の木があるから桜の塩漬けを準備したそうです。
嬉し！！　早速頂戴しに伺いましたぁぁ～。食べのの事となると行動早っっ！愛娘のナナ助も笑顔でお出迎えしてくれました。
In this prefecture, sakura (cherry blossom) season has ended for this year. But, a kind of sakura called Yae-sakura are still blooming. They are so beautiful.
I got a call from my friend Yuki, who is my coworker friend Shinoyan's wife. She said that she prepared Sakura flower pickles since they have a Yae-sakura tree in the garden at their new house where they just moved this spring. I was happy to hear it and went to their house. I know, I always am quick in action for food things!! Their sweet daughter also greeted me with a welcoming smile.

サクラの花を丁寧に洗った後、酢に1週間程浸しておいてくれて、ユキちゃんがほとんどの工程を完了してくれていました。
Yuke prepared most of the process for me.
Wash the flowers carefully then soak them for about 1 week.

それから続きを家に持ち帰って・・（といってもほとんど大変なのは完了してくれていましたね）
軽く酢を絞って２日間陰干しです。
それから塩をまぶしてビン詰めにしてできあがり。
サクラの塩漬けは好きで毎年買っていたので手作りでできるなんて大発見で嬉しい！！！！


I brought them back home and finished the preparations.
Squeeze off excess vinegar carefully then let dry in the shade for about 2 days.
Finally, put in a jar with salt.
I am so glad to know how to make the Sakura flower pickles because I buy some every year.


早速、桜茶。Sakura tea. (Put in hot water)






桜色に色づいた残り酢は、香りがと～～～～ってもいい！これははちみつを加えてハチミツ大根に。
The remaining vinegar has Sakura's pink color and good smell! I made honey-pickled radishes with this vinegar.


さぁ、何しようかな。。週末は早速桜餅か？・・・
What else shall I make... maybe Sakura rice cakes? Ummmm sounds yummy!
ちなみにこちらは、去年のお花見に作っていった春キャベツと玄米の押し寿司（左端）。桜の塩漬けがアクセントです。
まだ八重桜の七分咲きが間に合う人はお試しあれ☆
This picture is spring cabbage and brown rice sushi with sakura flower pickles (on the left square box) which I made last year for sakura party. A lot of flower pickles for accent!
If you can get sakura flowers (should be 70% blooming), let's try to make pickles!!

来年は是非最初から作ってみたいですね～☆ありがとうユキちゃん！！
I want to try from the beginning of the process next year. Thank you so much Yuki☆

これって、ヨーロッパに住んでる人はアーモンドの花で作れるのかなぁぁ・・ﾑﾌｯ。検討あれ☆
I wonder if it is possible to make with almond flowers? Perhaps if you live in Europe?