After a cold spring which put the growing season back by two weeks, strawberries are finally ripe. I’ve spent some time with our daughter and the kids at the u-pick. The berries are delicious, so fresh and juicy. The kids have eaten pounds of them over a few days.
It was fun to watch them learn the art of strawberry picking, such as checking the berries are fully ripe before you pick. They soon learned the deep red ones are the juiciest and to avoid any which are overripe.
Owen, at two, learned to pick the berries and how to take off the green leaves before he ate them. We should have weighed him going in and coming out of the patch.
My husband and I ate some fresh and then I made jam. Three bottles were a lot of work on a hot summer day but I didn’t have room to freeze them and I couldn’t stop myself from picking so many.
I also picked the rhubarb in our back yard. Again I made jam, just three bottles. One granddaughter likes strawberry jam, the other rhubarb. I invited them over to make tea biscuits with me and we sampled the jam.
The oldest, Sylvie, said as she finished her fourth biscuit, slathered in rhubarb jam, “I’ll have to take a bottle of that home with me.”
To which Caitlin replied, “And I want strawberry.”
It will be a busy few days around here making jam. We’ll try a combination of strawberry rhubarb this time.
19 comments:
What fun to see your grandchildren picking the berries. Sounds like the girls really enjoyed the jam at tea time.
I well remember the family jam-making days from my childhood - blackcurrant, redcurrant, greengage, gooseberry, plum, apple jelly and even elderberry jam, but never strawberry. We used to have strawberries in the garden but there wee mysteriously few left after my brother and I had "just tried one or two".
Oh yum! I’ve never tried rhubarb but want to. I need to find an old time coffee shop or specialty kitchen
Both rhubarb and strawberry make wonderful jams, my favorite way to eat both of these delectables. Love your description of Owen's appetite. :-)
Any jam is good jam!
Sounds like a productive day. I only have a couple of strawberry plants for my husband. The pips and mu digestive system do not agree so I only have them if he makes coulis for me and strains them. Keep cool, Diane
Admittedly I've never liked rhubarb. Strawberries are certainly out here at the moment.
I remember the U-pick fields picking strawberries years ago. I love strawberries. We just had a strawberry and banana drink. Put them in the blender and enjoy. Nice and refreshing on a humid day. We just had a downpour so it's a little cooler.
Have a lovely evening!
Fresh strawberries are the best. I have enjoyed so many already this summer.
Yum.
I remember my mother's cockatoo wandering over to the strawberry patch and carefully picking up each strawberry to ensure it was completely ripe before he picked it. Those he considered 'too early' were put put down again unharmed, ready to be inspected another day.
Berry picking (and eating) with family is a truly blissful memory. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, how fun, Marie. Please invite me over the next time you make the biscuits and sample the jam!!! :)
Of course, our strawberry season is done, but I have to salute anyone who still makes their own jam.
I have fond memories of going to u-pick-its as a kid. Blackberries have always been my favorite but my Grandmother would make strawberry fig jam and I loved it. We had a fig tree in the backyard of our lake house and I knew we were in for a treat when she said the figs were ready.
Fresh berries are so yum!☺
what a fun dear Marie :)))
these are precious times with grandchildren indeed !
haha you have variety of audience here ,combination would be an excellent idea
I have not made jam in awhile. We have been gaining weight sooo... It's so nice to see the kids picking the strawberries. The strawberries looks incredible!!
I'd say both of your granddaughters have excellent taste :)
Good for Owen - that's pretty smart for two years old!
How yummy Marie, home made jam is so delicious. It's been a while since I made strawberry jam. Picking fruit with your grandchildren sounds like so much fun, I miss mine already ✨
Fun times!
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