We had so many berries and they were so ripe and ready to eat. The only down side to them being so late in the season was the fact that they were rather small. I did not feel like freezing such tiny berries so I ended up making preserves on top of strawberry jam. I have never made strawberry preserves before- just jam. The preserves did not set up as nicely as the jam since the recipe did not call for pectin to be added. The preserves consisted of three simple ingredients: strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
We ended up having our homemade pancakes the next morning for breakfast instead of for dinner that Friday night as I was too tired from putting up all those strawberries! We used the preserves on the pancakes which were so good seeing that the preserves did not jell up as much as the jam. Plus I like the large chunks of berries the preserves have.
I am bracing myself for the next few months as I have a lot of preserving and canning planned. I am making it my goal to can as much fresh produce as possible to have for the rainy and cold winter months (that seem to last forever here in Oregon!). The blackberries are just a few weeks away from being ready and the first few crops of cherries are starting to roll in. Also by mid-July there will be the blueberries and I know a great farm for those. At the same time the blueberries are ready, the lavender farms are having their festivals. Then come August I will try canning tomatoes from the garden for the first time ever (we usually gobble them up before they get a chance to see a single canning jar!). On top of the tomatoes there will be the U-pick peaches that we plan on devouring. September will bring pears galore from the Fruit Loop. Not long after that the apples will be ready for more U-pick family fun which will find me making applesauce, pies, and apple butter. Oh, and let’s not forget that all the herbs I grow still need to be gathered and dried. This is of course on top of keeping the garden healthy and happy! This time of year can bring a frenzy of activity when it comes to harvesting and preserving summer’s bounty but I would not have it any other way!
I have been taking an interest in drying food for preservation as well and might give that a try this year. How about you? Are you planning on preserving some of your harvest this year and, if so, how?
Beautiful!!!!
You do have lots planned! I have lots to do, but no planning – I’m just jumping in like a crazy woman. LOL
Blackberries will be ready soon and I’ve already got enough preserves and jam. Blueberries are next, I think. But I’m still desperately trying to figure out cukes and summer squash. I hate to let anything go to waste!
Can’t wait to read about your canning projects!
~Faith
Hi Faith- I am attempting to be more organized as it is the ONLY way I can hope to accomplish all that I want to do with the garden this year. Last year I started out good but as the summer progressed time got away from me. I’m trying to get it all done once more and hope I can pull it off!
Maybe you could freeze some of your blackberries since you mentioned you already have enough preserves. I love them in smoothies!
Wow, Cynthia, you are a marvel! I don’t know where you find the time and energy. You are just like my mom. In some form or other, she preserves strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, basil, apricots, tomatoes and probably a lot of other stuff I’m not aware of. That’s in addition to all the fresh stuff! I am too lazy for all of that, but those strawberry preserves are making me regret my ways for sure. My mom has a food dryer and uses it mainly for Roma tomatoes. I can ask her what brand/model it is if you’re considering getting one. Congrats on all your strawberry-harvesting loveliness!
Thanks Karen- I actually think I must be nuts and enjoy stressing myself out or something. LOL I do love doing all of this though. There is nothing better than pulling out a jar of preserves in the dead of winter. I would love to hear about what type of dehydrator your mom uses. I am really considering trying it out this year. That is if I can find the time to!
Cynthia,
You are truly amazing! I must be ur lazy half lol. Keeping my garden going and trying to harvest anything is best I can do at this point. Maybe in a year or two after I get better at gardening I can start preserving and canning
You make it sound like so much fun!! Good luck on everything!!
~The lazier Cynthia (haha)
It is a lot of fun! Perhaps you could start small by drying some of your herbs for use throughout the winter. If I am remembering correctly your rosemary needs some shaping up and rosemary is a great herb for drying. It retains its scent and flavor really well. I wish my rosemary was large enough to get a good harvest off of this year but sadly I had to replace it seeing that it did not make it through our winter.
Beautiful jars. I love to see jam and preserves in glass jars. They are so jewel like.
So far I’ve frozen the extra spinach and pickled some peas. I’m hoping to get enough raspberries to preserve. I’d also like to get some cucumbers for real pickles, but I’m not so sure right now. Our weather has been very cold and rainy. We aren’t getting any sun. Somehow the beans are growing and I’m hoping to freeze the Kentucky Wonder and of course save the dried beans. I’ve got garlic, onions and potatoes that hopefully will keep without much work on my part. And I’m really hoping to make salsa this year, but I don’t know how it will go if the weather doesn’t start getting sunnier.
You and your blog always inspire me Daphne! I did not grow peas this spring but am considering them for the fall garden. I’ll have to remember to try pickling them one day! It sounds like your weather is similar to what I experienced last year. It was so frustrating too as nothing would grow. I felt like I was watching the garden grow in slow motion! I hope it improves for you here soon. And I am with you, I too love the look of the jams in glass jars! They are jewel like.
I began canning last year for the first time. This afternoon I’ll make my third batch of strawberry jam for this year. I also picked up a second dehydrator at the thrift store so that I can be more efficient on those fall preserving days. I’m also looking at trying to use the freezer more. We’re still eating squashes from last year’s garden that I’ve stored in the basement. I also dry a ton of herbs. I LOVE doing all of this!!! I don’t love all the mess though.
What a find on the dehydrator! I guess I should keep my eyes out for something like that. I’m interested in drying the harvest because of it taking up less room. In our home space and cupboards are at a premium (and that is putting it nicely!
) so I figured drying some of our veggies and such would make storing them easier. I love to can though and have been making jams for many years now.
I planted lots of roma tomatoes, beans, and peas. I hope to get lots to can!
I CANnot wait to hear how all your produce does Toni
My mom and I usually make freezer jam with strawberries. It’s a lot easier than canning and we really love the results! Most pectin boxes will have the recipe.
I plan to do a lot of canning and freezing too! I think I pretty much missed out on strawberries this year… but your pictures are tempting me to run out today and get some! lol