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Farm Kitchen:  Anyone Making Violet Jelly This Year?  |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 11:53:46 AM
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| I am so tempted to try to harvest our outstanding "crop" of pretty violets this year and make jelly. But without some kind of "blueberry scoop" type of harvesting tool, it's just too big a job. I remember we talked about violet jelly last year, and some farmgirls made jars they sold. Anyone doing that again this year? Pretty please? :) |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 1:58:29 PM
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| I made one batch last night. I've never made jelly before. I don't think it's going to set :( How long does it usually take for jelly to set? |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 2:14:00 PM
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I actually have some in the freezer I will be making jelly with soon :)
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 7:19:20 PM
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| How do you all harvest your violets? Please tell me you don't just crawl around picking off one tiny flower at a time! I was thinking it would be probably fairly easy (given strong enough tin snips) to make a tooth-edged scoop (like blueberry scoops) and attach it to a longish broom handle or something. Anybody ever try that? I feel like I only have a few days more of violets (and we have a huge amount this year) but my knees just won't take crawling around. |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2012 : 8:28:13 PM
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That's what I do Rosemary. That is if I can get to them before my dog does! She loves violets :) Let us know if you make a tool like that to harvest!
Emily Anna,
My jelly has always set up right away. One time I did end up making syrup and I will tell you it is delicious in Lemonade or we have used it making Italian Creme Sodas too! :)
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2012 : 08:39:36 AM
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Long story short, I'm spending Easter Afternoon gathering violet blossoms the old-fashioned way! I hope I can keep the smell of Ben-Gay out of the jelly! :/
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2012 : 8:29:48 PM
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I plan to pick violets tomorrow. We have a bumper crop!
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2012 : 09:22:30 AM
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I had a huge crop last year and made 4 dozen jars. I knew these would last us a few years, but turned out to be the right choice. I was movin and unable to gather blossoms this year. I would have been heartbroke if I had to do without my jelly this year. So that worked out nicely for us!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2012 : 11:54:50 AM
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We pick violets one little flower at a time--and I work full time, have a 3 year old and have put up 40 jars. That might not sound like a lot, but it is for someone who never has 2 seconds put together for herself! My husband actually loves the job of picking. He and the 2 dogs go out and he sits down on the hillside with a beer, his ipod and headphones, and a collander and just goes to town!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2012 : 06:15:38 AM
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Made some a few weeks ago. If anyone can come up with a tool to pick the blossoms with, I will be a customer for sure. Til then it will be on my knees in my son's yard and picking the blossoms one by one. It is quite a good time to reconnect with God's nature while you are on your knees you can really see his handy work in all the minutia there close to the ground. And you might say a prayer or two as well.
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2012 : 09:24:34 AM
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I will be making mine tonight. I made dandelion yesterday and had to reprocess it today. This is the first batch that didn't set up properly. I guess when the recipe says "no substitutions" on the pectin it really means NO SUBSTITUTIONS! I will be heading out to buy the Certo pectin before I waste those lovely, lovely sweet violets.
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2012 : 09:27:24 AM
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As far as picking goes, I run my fingers through the stems (like you would run 'em through your hair). Usually I can get 3 or 4 at a time, then close my fingers and gently tug. At least it's not ONE at time...
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2012 : 5:22:22 PM
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Same here, Amy. I did pick one quart tonight. And, plan on a couple more tomorrow.
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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michgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
148 Posts
Mary
Glendale
WI
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 11:59:43 AM
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 Made my first batch yesterday! LOVE LOVE LOVE the color!! |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 9:17:57 PM
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| Never heard of this jelly before, the recipe would be nice! |
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sjmjgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
566 Posts
Stephanie
Mt. Vernon
Iowa
USA
566 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 10:45:53 AM
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I havent either, Roxanna. Can someone post the recipe please? What kind of violets do you use?
Farmgirl Sister # 3810
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Dalai Lama
April is Autism Awareness month. Autism affects 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys, including my son). Go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/ to learn more and help Light It Up Blue on April 2nd!
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
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anna13mary
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Anna
Salem
IN
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 4:22:18 PM
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My 92 year old Grandmother and I spent a chunk of yesterday afternoon picking violet, one by one. I'd never made any before, but my jelly turned out beautiful, waiting for it to set now.
**Anna~Mary**
Daddy never liked me playing in mud, but Mommy always just laughed and said "It won't hurt anything. She'll wash." Thanks Mom... Still playing in the dirt @ 29 and still loving it! |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 06:52:57 AM
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I have another batch steeping now. I really hope it sets this time. Fingers crossed!
Anna, your grandmother sounds wonderful! |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 07:06:34 AM
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Anna, what a blessing and a memory you'll have forever. That made me smile!
The prairie land herbs link is the recipe I've used without fail for the last 4 years or so. It's sooo easy and soooo good!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 07:27:38 AM
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Anna Mary,
How precious is that memory? Like Jonni, that made me smile :)
Emily,
I hope your batch sets. If not the Violet 'Syrup' is great in lemonade or Italian Cream Sodas, or on Ice cream :)
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 1:50:41 PM
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I go out and check every day if my violets are out yet and they aren't! Dandelions are just starting to bloom here so I'm going to make Dandelion jelly and the violets should be soon to follow the Dandelions as I remember last spring :) So exciting!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 2:58:16 PM
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| Sharon, Thank you! How do you make syrup? Do you just the jelly that didn't set, or do you do something else to it? |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 7:11:46 PM
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Emily,
You can follow the jelly recipe and omit the pectin or you can use the jelly if it doesn't set :)
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 06:07:22 AM
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This year has not been very good for violets this year, they have been really slow to start blooming. The dandelions have been slow to start as well but I am sure hoping the violets pick up like they were last year! I'd love to make at least 2 batches of violet jelly this year!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Farm Kitchen: Anyone Making Violet Jelly This Year? |
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Anyone Making Violet Jelly This Year?
