One of my favorite things about summer is all the fresh fruit that is available. I can be known to go a little crazy in the produce section — it’s so hard to resist because there are so many delicious options! But as tasty as grocery store produce can be, fresh-picked produce is even better.
We didn’t have a chance to go strawberry picking this year, but we purchased a flat from an Amish farm, and I made strawberry jam. I used the same recipe as last year (click here to check out my Jun 25, 2018, post for the details) but adjusted the amounts slightly:
5 cups strawberry puree (pureed using a food processor)
5 Tbsp lemon juice
3 cups white sugar
It’s a pectin-free strawberry jam recipe, which I think tastes better, but the downside is that it takes longer to gel. I doubled the above amounts and spent 30-40 minutes stirring the jam on the stove before it was ready to can, but the end result was more than worth the time.
When blueberry season started, we got an invitation from a friend of a friend to go picking at their private farm. It was a last minute invite, and I had things to accomplish at home, so only Mr. Handsome went out and picked. It was about 90 degrees, so I wasn’t too upset to miss. Mr. Handsome brought back tons of plump, juicy berries.
Instead of washing them all right away and then putting them in the fridge, we put them in the fridge unwashed and brought them out to wash in small quantities. That extended their life, and we were able to enjoy them fresh for a week. We also froze a couple gallon-sized bags for smoothies and blueberry pie.
My creative husband took a handful of photos while he was picking and wanted me to share them with you:
Marilyn
Thank you for the recipe. It sounds delicious.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Ann
I was watching my news and they were talking about picking blueberries and they said not to wash them. Because when you wash then your taking all the stuff thats put on them.
Benita
What stuff are you talking about? Pesticides, dirt?
Anonymous
Not to wash them? Maybe for a few days of storage, but before you eat them or cook with them, you should certainly wash them. Strawberries are the same way. Store unwashed; wash before eating.
The problem with washing beforehand is not what you’re washing off (which doesn’t make sense), but the moisture you’d be leaving on the berries. That can hasten spoilage. If you must wash before storing, then you have to be careful to thoroughly dry the berries. You can put them through a salad spinner lined with paper towels, and then gently blot – blot – blot dry with more towels.
Anonymous
Your also not suppose to wash them before cooking either. When you cook them it will take the stuff right.
Sara
Ann is right I heard that too.
Stacey
They look yummy are they wild blueberries? Where I live I have a huge amount of wild blueberries that I pick for family and friends I should be able to pick them starting next week. The wild ones I have around my house are sweet. I live in southern Maine.
Ellie
Hi Stacey! They were in neat rows, so I don’t think they are wild. We picked some wild ones last year. The bushes were so big and overgrown that they almost looked like trees! What do you like to do with your blueberries, make desserts or just eat them plain? Mr H loves blueberry pie, and I made a blueberry strudel tonight for the first time, but I prefer eating them fresh or slightly frozen.
Ellie
Anonymous
I like to make muffins put them in pancakes, deserts and eating them plain.
Abagail
Loved looking at the pictures of the berries and the area that they were growing in which looked pretty.
Ellie
Thanks, Abagail!
Barb
I love fresh strawberries. The season is short where we live and I wasn’t able to get any this year. Your jam looks wonderful. I don’t care for pectin in cooked fruit so this would be great, although time consuming. I would need to lift weights for awhile to stir for 45 minutes!
You can tell that your husband is an artist. He has such an eye for photography! Can I ask what kind of camera you guys use?
Ellie
Thank you, Barb. I will tell my husband you said that. He was just using his iPhone 8–it’s amazing what you can do with smart phones these days.
Ellie
Eileen
I just donated all my canning equipment! But, we are still eating lots of fresh berries and I will freeze them. This looks like a great jam recipe. Nice pics Mr H. Did you come back with stained hands and lips from eating while you picked? Lol.
Little Buddy sure is growing Ellie. Eileen
Ellie
Yep, his lips were stained. LOL
I know, he is growing so fast! 18 pounds!
Eileen
That is a good size. Little Buddy has lost that new baby look. Well into the next stage of growth and development and weight. 🙂 Eileen
anonymous
Nice pictures of the best part of summer. Good for Mr Handsome to get out there and get the ripe berries! What you are calling blue berries I think are called Saskatoons in Manitoba. I missed picking this year. But liked this story about it all!
anonymous
Ellie you are being reduced to just your perfect nose!
Ellie
LOL! Thanks for the compliment. I’ve never considered my nose to be perfect. 🙂
Ellie