It Continues...

It began with strawberries, and now we're onto raspberries. I haven't been to a u-pick yet, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have time before I head out on holidays. Guess that means I'll be packing the canning equipment when we head to the Island. I'll drag everyone out to pick them there, and make jam with the extended family. They'll think I'm so clever (well, not my own, who have seen me make jam all their lives and think this is just what mamas do...)

This batch was made with local honey and some raspberries I picked up at the Farmer's Market. I had to make a quick batch, just in case the family complains about my picking/jamming plans on the Island. ;)

It Begins

With strawberries.

50+ pounds picked this year.

Most went into the freezer. I ran out at Easter this year so I made sure to freeze a few extra bags so that wouldn't happen next year. Oh horror of horrors.

And of course some got cooked down into jam.

So it begins with strawberries, but the summer's beautiful berry bounty continues with raspberries, blueberries, tayberries (best jam in the world!) and blackberries.

Oh, I love this season.

We Be Jammin'

Oh, I love jammin'. Which is a good thing, since I have picked or purchased 48 lbs of strawberries this June!

So far this year:

Strawberry Jam with Vanilla Bean and Honey

Strawberry Jam with Vanilla Bean and Agave

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Tayberry Jam with Bramble Bush Honey.

And I've just begun...

I love Pomona's Pectin because you don't have to add as much sugar, or even sugar at all. I've been mainly making my jams now with honey or agave. I use about 4 cups mashed berries, one split vanilla bean and about 1 cup of honey or agave.

There will probably be another batch of strawberry jam and at least one more of tayberry in my near future. I was so happy to see tayberries at Emma Lea today. Hurray! I must go back to the u-pick soon. I loooooove them! Then we'll move on to raspberry, apricot, peach...