sloe down

these sloe berries are known in france as prunelles. they are inedible right now, but after the first frost they turn just slightly sweet with a sour cherry aroma, and then they are made into a coveted local liqueur. my husband and i just found a big patch of them. he is concerned that someone else will pick them first, but they are not yet ripe. i had to tell him to sloe down.

prunelle, le fruit du prunellier or sloe fruit  (prunus spinosa)