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Farm Kitchen:  It's Kudzu Time!! Update! Update!  |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 06:05:27 AM
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Well, I was looking out the window the other day as we drove to an estate sale, and what did I see? Loads of kudzu blossoms tucked under those rampant green leaves!! Which means I will be making Kudzu Blossom Jelly this week!! Yipee!
I know for sure that I am mailing off 5 jars to farmgirls friends and I am also taking a jar for each of the girls who are going to the Gurlfrenz Getaway at Frannie's! I will be in my kitchen all day on Friday, and I can't wait. My mom and my friend Cilla will be there helping. Which will be a hoot, since Cilla has a broken leg and my mom is in need of knee surgery! Good thing I have a big, open kitchen! Maybe in the between times we can have wheelchair races!!
I just love doing this sort of thing. I'll be dancing on air all week in anticipation! 
Karin
Today was THE day!! Cilla, her husband Wes and I went out yesterday to pick. We found an incredible patch of Kudzu, with blossoms everywhere! They were beautiful, and very heady. All I could smell on the way home was the half-a-laundry-basket full of blossoms!
After a night of "brewing", and being strained through 12 layers of cheesecloth, the liquid was ready to be made into jelly.
Well, FOURTEEN batches later, we finally finished at 7:30 tonight. 75 glistening jars of magenta-colored goodness resting on my dining room table! I have to say, it is the best we've ever made!!
So, to all of the farmgirls on the Kudzu Blossom Jelly list-(Asnedecor, Sunshine, Aunt Jenny, berries, Shirley, LJRphoto and KellyA)it will be on it's way to you next week! Just e-mail me your address, and I will pop them in the post to you ASAP.
Mmmmmmm. Warm biscuits, fresh butter, Kudzu Jelly. Guess what I am having for breakfast tomorrow?
Karin |
Edited by - Mumof3 on Aug 25 2006 5:42:19 PM |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 07:33:15 AM
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This has brought back some great memories for me. Having been a basket weaver for 18 years, when we lived in Havana, FL - right on the Florida/Georgia line, near Tallahassee, I had a little shop. Sold antiques, did basket weaving, had classes, and I attended a Kudzu Festival in Georgia and had a ball. Even though it isn't liked, and is invasive, I think it is beautiful. Tastes great, makes beautiful baskets. Actually I still have one I made. That was in 1994! No quilting takes up all my time! Thanks for the memories. And if you have extra, I would like a trade as well!
Thanks, love, hugs and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 12:56:11 PM
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Sunshine- Kudzu Jelly is a beautiful rosy color. When you make the infusion, it comes out a disgusting grayish color. But, as soon as you add the lemon juice to the recipe, it changes like magic!! It is definitely a PB$J kind of jelly, but is best on warm biscuits with homemade butter. YUM!!
I am setting aside 2 more jars- 1 for you and 1 for Gloria.
Karin |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 1:21:22 PM
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Why thank you Karin. What can I send you in return! I have some darlin little strawberry emery's I make and put on my customer's quilts. They are little pincushions! And something else I have in mind? Would that work? Email me privately with your address and I get it out! Thanks a bunch!
love, hugs and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 2:14:46 PM
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Berries, I am a basketmaker also, been doing it for 20 years.
what is a strawberry emery?
I have been making strawberries out of felted wool, they are stuffed with poyfil and have felt leaves and a stem. and then little black beads sewn on for the seeds. there used for deco or pincushions. there fun to make. they are a pretty good size ,not small.
Am I on the kuzu jelly list?
I thought I was.
shirley |
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 2:35:06 PM
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Hi sunshine, yes, I am the berries who made the strawberries on the quilt for MaryJane. And I did quilt the quilt! I also do pillowcases! Email me privately, and I'll send you a little strawberry emery! I make them to tie on my customers bags when they pick up their quilts! I think they add a little something and looks cute as well! I'd be happy to send one to you!
I have always called myself a (jack of all trades, master of none). I too crochet, I love filet crochet, sew, basket weave, quilt, and make most anything I need. I sew my curtains, dust ruffles, chair covers, and lot's and lot's of pillow cases! Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you with your address!
love, hugs, and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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KellyA
True Blue Farmgirl
237 Posts
Kelly
Johnsonville
NY
USA
237 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 7:15:24 PM
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Y'know, I was watching the Food Network yesterday, and caught Alton Brown's summer series called "Feasting on Asphalt", and he stopped by the side of the road to show Kudzu, and tell how good it was to eat and to make jelly...I had never even heard of kudzu before, and here it is again!! Does it grow up north? What is the flavor of the leaves and the jelly? Can I order the jelly from any catalog?
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 5:15:12 PM
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I was telling my husband about your kudzu jelly making adventures the other day..and he was amazed that you could actually use that for something like what you are doing. I had to explain to him how you steeped the blossoms and drain them and that even the leaves are used for fabric dyes. Anyhow..he thought it was neat.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 8:22:50 PM
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I am so excited to get the kudzu jelly...it sounds so different and fun!!
I have never seen it grow anywhere I have lived..but I never lived in the south either.
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 |
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zilzirk
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Liz
Fort Mill
South Carolina
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 29 2006 : 7:51:22 PM
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Wow- Kudzu jelly! I've never heard of that before!!! I moved to South Carolina last year and was trully amazed at kudzu in real life! I have a big patch just down the street...(is that a redundant to say "big patch" of kudzu?) So, I would love to know how do you make it? I am familair with making jam, but I have never 'steeped' a flower for jelly before! I don't want to intrude on your family recipe, but I would love it if you would post the recipe :)
Liz
a city girl with farm roots |
Edited by - zilzirk on Aug 29 2006 7:52:43 PM |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2006 : 05:26:59 AM
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Hi Liz! I found where I had posted the recipe. No family secret here! Here's the link-
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4947
This is the time of year to get out and pick. Sometimes you have to hunt-and-peck for the blossoms, and other times they are standing proud!
It is really a very easy jelly to make! I hope you try it. Let me know how it turns out!!! 
Karin
PS- To all the KBJ sisters- Your jars will be in the mail tomorrow!! I have been collecting safe packaging for their trip!
K
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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zilzirk
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Liz
Fort Mill
South Carolina
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2006 : 7:16:42 PM
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wow! Thanks Karin :)
I haven't seen the flowers just driving by, but I will take a walk after it stops raining here and see what I can find!
I'll let you know!!
a city girl with farm roots |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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zilzirk
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Liz
Fort Mill
South Carolina
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2006 : 11:54:21 AM
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We went kudzu flower picking today! down at the end of the street, we have a whole patch in a business park. So we brought bags and picked and picked. Easily got 4 cups! The flowers are just beautiful! They look like sweet peas! and the smell is heavenly!!! I am so amazed and thrilled. We washed the flowers and they are soaking in the boiling water bath. Looks kinda gross now - grayish just like you said Karin. Let you know more after the canning tomorrow.
Liz
a city girl with farm roots
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 3:13:44 PM
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Karin, I got my Kudzu Jelly today. I, of course, opened it immediately and spread some on bread to try it out - it's delicious! It is such a beautiful color just like you said and you packaged it so nicely. I can't wait to make some biscuits and try some more. There's something very subtle there that I just can't quite taste "above" the heavy, wheat bread I put it on. Thank you so much for sharing with me - I've become an absolute jelly/jam nut this year. I'll have your hot pepper relish in the mail this week!
"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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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 5:17:42 PM
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Mine came today too...I can hardly wait to try it. I will make bread tomorrow just to have it on. It is beautiful Karin!! My son asked if it was girly jelly for "tea" time or if it was for PBJ's. I told him girly. (I AM the meanest mom in town!) I will be sharing, though.
Thanks so much!!
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 |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 7:18:21 PM
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I am so glad to know that the jelly arrived safely.
Jenny- Girly jelly? That is hilarious!! PB& Kudzu jelly sandwiches are the best!
Laura- I think the "subtle something" must be warm, Georgia sunshine!!
I felt like Santa Claus sending all of those jars across the country.
There is nothing like sharing with friends!
Karin
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SpinninJenny
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Jennifer
Mansfield
GA
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 6:52:33 PM
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Hey Karin!
I just realized that you're soooo close to me! I live in the south end of Newton County. I shop all the time in Conyers and occassionally have to drive to McDonough, Locust Grove and Stockbridge! It would be fun to get together and have lunch sometime. I'd love to meet another Farmgirl!!
Jennifer in GA
The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. --
Mark Twain.
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 8:01:52 PM
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Jennifer, I love your quote. I'd never heard that one before. I might stitch it on a pillow!
Karin, I give everyone who comes to my house a spoonful of your jam to taste (then get them to try to guess what it is). Everyone loves it, and no one knows what it is. Silly Northerners that we are!
"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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Farm Kitchen: It's Kudzu Time!! Update! Update! |
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It's Kudzu Time!! Update! Update!
