| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 2:32:44 PM
Been a couple of years since I made jam, but been in the kitchen for the past few hours making strawberry and strawberry/rhubarb jam. Just like riding a bike, I guess you don't forget how. The big push to make jam this year was the constant question from DH - "how many strawberries do you need to make jam, flat, 1/2 flat?" My answer would be - "do you want some jam?" DH - "No...". Then two days later same question. So I went to the local produce stand and got some strawberries before the season is over and came home a proceeded to make jam. Pulled out some rhubarb I gathered from the garden and split the batch - so 1/2 strawberry - 1/2 strawberry/rhubarb. I forgot how pretty it is in the jar. Looks to be setting up just fine. I guess next will be raspberry jam. 
Anne in Portland, OR
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 8:54:17 PM
I planted 4 nice red rasberry plants this year...so I am sure hoping to get enough for canning and freezing next year. I love em! How cute tht your DH brought you those jars!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| BloominGA |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 5:16:45 PM
Those cherries look delish! I'm trying to talk my mom out of a gallon of frozen blackberries to make jam. I'm stuck between crops at the moment. Those here in VA where I am visiting haven't turned yet while those back home in GA have petered out! |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 3:25:40 PM
Jenny those are beautiful cherries. I just finished a batch of red raspberry jam. I only make small batches because it is just DH and I. I did run out of jars when I made the strawberry & strawberry/rhubarb last week and mentioned to DH I had to go get more jars before I did more jam. Next day he shows up from the store with another box of jam jars, I guess he didn't want me to miss any of the berry seasons with the excuse of "I can't make jam, no jars!"
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 10:31:58 AM
you have a way with words Karin..that makes it sound even better!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 05:07:52 AM
Jenny-
I love that picture!!!!! Ruby-colored orbs gleaming in a bowl. A stand of pie filling waiting to slip into a homemade crust. The heavenly smell of cherries and dough baking in the oven and the rosy-stained mouths of those that eat them!!
Can you guess I like cherry pie?
Karin |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 01 2006 : 12:00:32 AM
Here is a pic of my afternoon's work...cherry pie filling..22 jars. I have about 3 grocery bags of cherries still to clean, pit and process tomorrow too! I love cherries,but I am getting a little sick of looking at them for sure!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jun 30 2006 : 6:50:15 PM
When I had to move away from the Country, it was my desperate attempt to hang on! LOL For the Orchard Peach I simply used a recipe for apple jelly from my Ball canning guide and would use different fruit juices to make jelly instead of the apple. Just consider the fruit juice you are using and make according to the pectin/sugar ect needed for the specific fruit you plan to use. If it were not for the concern with weight allowences when we move back, I would get all my canning suplies again and start here now! I am sure there are many really neat juice mixes that would make some scrumptious jelly!!! Sorry I do not have the recipe here it is in storage otherwise I would be more then happy to share!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| sunshine |
Posted - Jun 30 2006 : 5:48:59 PM
Buttercup
that is so cool I never thought of using frozen juice at the store to make jelly how do you do that.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jun 30 2006 : 5:25:47 PM
Karin, I used to live in the South and hated that vine!!! But never knew its name or that it could be used in such neat ways! I would love a copy of the recipe if you don't mind. 
I love to can but have not done any since my oldest was little.... sooo sad. But I am looking forward to canning when I get back. You know I used to do all the usual ones , strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, etc. But one of the yummiest (word?) ones I every made was when there was a juice called "Orchard Peach" I think it was a Whelchs juice but don't remember...anyway that made some of the best jellie ever!!
Think of little me when you all can this year!!! I sure do miss it!!
Happy canning! 
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 30 2006 : 08:54:04 AM
I am working on cherries today..jam but mostly pie filling...I am gettting tired of looking at cherries..and have eaten enough of them that I am amazed I am not having "problems" but it will be so nice later on!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| BloominGA |
Posted - Jun 30 2006 : 06:49:08 AM
I too would be cautious of Kudzu... Speaking of jam, I love to make freezer jam. I especially love peach since I am here in Georgia. I've made strawberry, blueberry, and I'm fixin' to try blackberry when I get enough. The flavors seem to be so much fresher compared to the cooked jam. |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jun 27 2006 : 09:48:19 AM
Good point Mollie. I never pick where I know they spray!! We have a few little haunts that we go to that are far off the beaten path- no spraying there!! It turns rather rapidly once its been sprayed. You can tell when they do it. It looks like this - 
Karin |
| Mollie |
Posted - Jun 27 2006 : 09:31:50 AM
I would be careful to make anything that you eat out of Kudzu. Here in the deep South, many states/towns spray Kudzu with strong herbicides to kill it. Even many landowners spray to get rid of it, so unless you know for sure that it is "pristine" and never been sprayed I would avoid eating it. |
| LJRphoto |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 8:36:41 PM
A funny note about kudzu. I live in the north and when I was a kid 60 Minutes or some show like that did a huge expose on kudzu and they did it in an oh-my-gosh-we're-all-gonna-die way and I was so scared of that vine that was unstoppably creeping it's way north. I was just sure my house would be covered with it by the end of the summer.
Anyway, I've been picking black raspberries as they ripen and putting them in the freezer until I have enough to make jam with them. I'm also hoping that I can still get in on some strawberry action before the season is over.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." -E. B. White
http://www.betweenthecities.com/blog/ljr/
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| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 8:07:42 PM
Okie-dokie Ladies-
There will be jars with your names on them for sure!!
They make tons of kudzu vine baskets here. I don't have one, but they are very cool. All twisty and gnarled - they look like they were made by wood elves!
Karin |
| Shirley |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 3:57:03 PM
OH Sorry got off the subject hehe
Yes I make all kinds of jam and not to much jelly anymore.
Used to enter everything in the country fair, and win gobs of ribbons and money. but now with just DH and me we dont eat as much as when the kids were home.
I love canning, its work and always seems to be the hot days when the fruit is ready, but it is so rewarding when its sitting there on the counter and looking beautiful.
shirley |
| Shirley |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 3:52:04 PM
I have a basket made from Kudzu which is interesting. Got it on QVC one time when a gal was makingand selling them, but havent seen any since.
Ive also heard about the jam/jelly but because it doest grow around here, Ive never had any either.
Seems alike some industrious person would get going on that Kudzu plant and make a bundle of money on the free for the taking vine
Karin , this might be your big chance :))
shirley |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 3:32:13 PM
Karin..I had never heard of kudzu jelly either!! Sounds wonderful!! If you want to make a trade with me too, and you have enough I would love to try some when you make it.
I havn't made any jam or jelly yet this summer..but will be this next couple weeks for sure. My very favorite is peach jam but husband and kids love black berry and strawberry best. No doubt I will make all three. second son (in Calif he is 26) loves lemon curd, so I will can some for him and I want to do orange marmalade this year. Didn't do any last year and i missed it. I like to do all sorts. Always do some plum jelly too since we have a few plum trees with tasty plums that ripen in late July or early august.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 3:04:41 PM
Karin -
You peeked my curiousity even more so I looked it up on-line. You are right, from the photos I could find, it grows all over every thing. The flower is pretty. I also read some people use the cane of the vine to weave baskets. Interesting stuff.
Let me know what you like and I will trade for a jar of jelly. I am sure I can send you something that is from the northwest.
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 2:54:29 PM
Anne- It is the vine that took over the South! It is from Japan originally and was brought here for erosion control as well as cattle fodder. It literally takes over anywhere it is planted. If you come South in the summer, you will find that the kudzu has swallowed up everything in it's path- trees, abandoned buildings, you name it.
The amazing thing is, the entire plant is edible, even for people. You can pick and deep fry the leaves and salt them like chips, or use them like grape leaves. The root can be ground and used as a thickening agent and the blossoms can be used to make jelly. Yum! I think it is totally underrated and unfortunately very much maligned. I guess no one has thought how to harvest it for beneficial use. But, that is kudzu in a nutshell.
Karin
PS- When I make jelly, I will send you some. The blossoms come in August and September. |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 12:34:02 PM
Karin -
Since I live in the north, educate me on what Kudzu is? Never heard of it, but sounds interesting.
Anne in Portland, OR
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 3:03:59 PM
Has anyone here made Kudzu Jelly? My friend and I make it almost every summer. It's a big hit in our houses. And it seems to be the most requested jelly from family and friends. We have to make a lot!!! But, it sure does put all of those kudzu blossoms to good use.
I can get out the recipe and post for all of the Southern gals if you would like. It tastes like a cross between how wysteria smells and grapes taste. MM-MM-good.
Karin |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 2:35:58 PM
I made some strawberry Jam this morning. It was my first time. I hope I did it right but it sure did taste good.( I tried a tiny bit I had left over) I had a great time because I grew all the strawberries too so it was extra special for me.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
