What is Rosella? I first saw this story and thought the birds. Then thought, nah, surely you can’t eat them?! Now I’m interested. Sounds like some kind of fruit? I’ve never heard of them before today

Thanks everyone for your answers. I created a few new recipes including adding them to a homemade tomato sauce, popping in two or three dozen into every stew and casserole, apple and rosella pie, and yes, more jam (these batches went to the high school P&C). The rosella plants finally gave up when the frosts hit in Mid-July, and I’ve got new plants popping up for next season already. If anyone wanted to try growing their own, try planting Sept-Oct, and allow plenty of room – they do get big. They thrive in warm weather but will die when the frosts arrive. (Northern Australia may get them year round).

Jam is good to make!

Right.. So I just read through the replies to find out what rosellas were.. I must say I’ve never tasted it but sounds like you’ve covered everything! Maybe you’ll just need to hand them out to whoever wants them!

so have you decided how you will use them up?

I thought of this being quite humorous at first. I thought someone was pulling my leg. As far as I knew Rosellas were birds in Australia. Then I read some of the other comments and all was clarified! lol!!! It does sound like it is a delicious fruit!

Thanks for clearing that up, the question initially alarmed me! How thoughtful of you to make jam for meals on wheels!

yeah just make heaps of stuff for the cupboard. Have you tried to make rosella chutney? If you were interested, bottle heaps of stuff and sell it at your local markets or put up a sign out the front. Other people might like to buy them and it would be nice to get a little extra cash for your excess.

Alternatively you could just put a box out the front of your house and give them away. Schools will be able to sell the jam, churches can give them to hungry people, st vinnies and the salvos will be keen to take your donation. Old people’s homes might like them.

Freeze what you can store

Can you use them in smoothies?

There are some ideas for you!

Did not know of them as anything other than birds lol! Now quite intrigued to see if they are easy to grow in Sydney. Thanks for sharing.

2 more ideas
– make Rosella chicken (think apricot or mango chicken)
– use them to make up a salad dressing

Do rosellas grow in Vic? I’d love to try making the jam and syrup.

Ooh following this with interest!

I have never used rosellas before. sorry

Thanks MOM103920 for your comprehensive information/answer on Rosella. Super interesting and would just love to taste the jam!

Well, there are Rosella Birds. I never gave that a thought when I asked my question, so sorry for the confusion.
Here is a picture of the Rosella plant. It’s also called Wild Hibiscus and has an African heritage. After it flowers, it forms the red fruit about the size of a plum. You can eat the fruit raw, its a little bitter but quite palatable. I’ve given away buckets and buckets to friends and family, and sent in bottled jam for the Meals on Wheels. I’ve also used the jam in a bread and butter pudding. Thanks for the ideas so far, I will play with the idea of a savoury sauce and see how I go. Looking forward to any other ideas too.

Thanks for looking that up as I was just about to do that when I read the comments. I have no ideas for you sorry as I thought they were birds!

I was intrigued, so I looked them up. they are a plant with many uses. Including medicinal purposes

I saw the heading of this question and I am intrigued – you’re obviously not referring to our feathered friends, what are these rosellas you refer to?

I thought Rosellas were birds, but I guess I’m wrong.

How very interesting and I am loving these answers on using rosella; very new to me.