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Garden Gate:  Chokecherries  |
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mustbeteatime
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Colette
MN
USA
39 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 2:45:16 PM
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When I was young, growing up on a farm in western MN, we used to make chokecherry jelly or syrup - we couldn't pick which, it all depended on the natural pectin in the berries each year. It never failed that if Mom wanted jelly she'd end up with syrup and vice versa. Do any of you make (or have made) chokecherry jelly? I miss it... but here we have good supplies of pomegranates, so make jelly with them.
For those of you going "chokecherry?" like my friends here do, it is the fruit of tree. It's small and mostly consists of a pit, and it is sour/bitter to eat fresh - but as kids we always did anyway - a novelty, I guess.
Enjoy the good things in life! |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 3:05:22 PM
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The one thing I miss most about the prairies is the chokecherries. I remember my gramma having jelly bags hanging with the almost black juice. The jam and jelly was the best I've ever had. I also remember the roof of your mouth feeling dry when you'd sneak a couple!
I bought two chokecherry bushes that were "developed" for growing here on the coast. They produce prolificly, but unfortunately they have zip for flavor.
Pomegranate jelly - hmm..messy to make(?), but that sure sounds like it would be tasty good. Might have to give that a try when they start showing up in the stores here.
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mustbeteatime
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Colette
MN
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 4:02:23 PM
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| Oh yes, pomegranate jelly is messy! Our friend with the prolific trees didn't water this year so there aren't any for us to pick (they are too tiny). Usually about three of us get together and pick, then OUTSIDE, we cut them into chunks and squeeze with large juicers - manual ones - I will have to get one of my own someday. You don't have to remove the seeds from the skin, so that is good. It's work and messy, but after you have the juice, making the jelly is easy. |
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prairiemaid
True Blue Farmgirl
200 Posts
Margret
Canada
200 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2005 : 06:54:40 AM
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I make chokecherry jelly and syrup every year. They grow wild all around our property. I made quite a bit for the farmers market this year. The jelly sold really well. I found some neat old fashioned bottles for the syrup and people bought it. A lot of people never had chokecherries even around here where they grow so well! They are really missing out, imo. And is a sign of the times. I often eat the chokecherries straight off the bush as I'm picking. The big, plump ones are really good!!
Call me old fashioned. |
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2005 : 08:03:36 AM
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I had chokecherry jelly for breakfast this morning. Margaret, your chokecherries must be sweeter than ours. Ours will take your breath away they are so sour and bitter. However, I love the syrup and jelly. I usually cut it with other juice, whatever I have handy, green grape or apple. Love the stuff.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2005 : 10:06:13 PM
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| Would any of you ladies like to trade a jar of chokecherry jam for a jar of wild blackberry jam? I have never had chokecherries, they don't grow here, never seen one either now I think of it...I remember them from the Laura Ingalls books though... |
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prairiemaid
True Blue Farmgirl
200 Posts
Margret
Canada
200 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2005 : 05:48:23 AM
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westfork woman, they must be a little sweeter, though I wouldn't say they are 'sweet' lol. I do think I have an acquired taste. They taste best when picked super ripe, they are black and almost falling off the bush. When you pick them has a lot to do with the amount of pectin in them too. The earlier you pick them, the more pectin they have.
FFFemmes, I've never tasted a blackberry and haven't seen one either. 
Call me old fashioned. |
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Garden Gate: Chokecherries |
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Chokecherries
