oooh! I just made Blackberry Jelly for the first time

[Heddi]

I hope it turns out okay....

Anyone in seattle want some blackberry jelly, cuz I got about 85lbs of the shit....

[tridim]

1. Do you grow your own?

I make strawberry preserves and sun-dried tomatos from my crop every year. There's nothing better. I planted blueberries and raspberries this year, but they won't fruit until next season. Bummer.

[Heddi]

8. how do you make Sundried Tomatoes?

We used to get them really cheap out in South Carolina---but they're way expensive in Seattle---and you can only get them in oil (blah!)---in SC you could buy a pack at the grocery store in the veggie section

[tridim]

14. I use my excess romas

It's really easy, just slice them in half lengthwise, put them on a cookie sheet and bake at the lowest temp for about 12 hours, or until there's just a tiny bit of moisture left. A food dehydrator will work too. It's up to you if you want to add herbs, but I like them plain. They are as sweet as raisins and keep for about 6 months in the freezer.

Like you, I refuse to pay for sun-dried's at the grocery store. They're a total ripoff.

[Ilsa]

17. Sometimes I slice my romas into four pieces

and pour a little red wine vinegar and minced garlic and a spoon of olive oil over them in a bowl, then dehydrate them in the oven. I love eating them right off the parchment paper or with some crusty french bread.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. oh yummy heddi and what fun...i use to make blackberry jam

thanks for getting my juices flowing...i belive i will start making it again :toast:

[Dover]

3. YUM! My favorite. Your own berries?

I'm just like a big old bear when it comes to fresh berries.
If I find a berry bush I just sit down and fill my belly and stain my hands and face with those delectable delightful fruits.

I've made jam and the process seemed to take over my kitchen and my life for a few days. But they made wonderful gifts and I loved being able to give them to friends.

[InkAddict]

4. The quality is commensurate

with the number of scratches received picking the berries-worse wounds, better tasting.

[noiretextatique]

5. you can send some to me in oakland

if you need to :hi:

[Heddi]

7. sure thing!!!

I just don't know how to properly 'can' things--so all the jelly is sitting in a tupperware container in the fridge cooling off.....

will it go bad? If it won't go bad I'll put some in a jar (not 'canned') and mail it out to ya!

[notadmblnd]

16. put it individual containers and

freeze it.

[Heddi]

6. well the berries aren't my own

in Seattle they grow EVERYWHERE, and the park people don't seem to mind if we go there and load up a few pounds...I guess they consider them nuissance weeds anyways---

So we went out this weekend and got probably about 10 lbs--5lbs my in-laws took back with them to South Carolina---and they left the other half with us....

They're too juicy to freeze (which we normally do with the ones we pick) so I figured it was wasteful to throw them away---they're so plump and juicy--they were bursting in our fingers when we were picking them---so I decided to make jelly with them.

First time EVER making jelly----

They're not 'preserved' in a can---I don't know how to 'can' things...does anyone know how long this stuff should last in the fridge? Does it even have to BE refrigerated? Nothing in it but berries and sugar...

[Dover]

9. If you didn't preserve or seal the jam in jars, then you will have to

freeze or refrigerate it. If you refrigerate it, you'll know when it's old because it will grow mold most likely.

I'd either start giving it away pretty fast or freeze all but one container which will be in use.

Sealing/canning jam is not that much more complicated once you go to the trouble to make it, so you might learn how to do that for next time. Then it will keep for a year or more.

[Dover]

11. BTW....it's not too late if you want to can what you've made.

Lots and lots of info about that on the internet, or it might be more fun to ask one of your older neighbors for help. A great way to spend time with someone and get to know them (like the old quilting b's)

[Heddi]

13. my hubby is weary of canning.

I brought up the idea to him last night and his response:

BOTULISM

:-/

I can't imagine it would be SO dangerous to can Jelly--it's not like it's got meat or anything in it. Shit--I didn't even use any Pectin!!

[Dover]

18. The botulism fear is a common fear and misconception

It's mainly due to inexperience.
It's a very easy process to seal foods and you are right...berries and meat are very different...

Read about this process and I think it will ease your mind. And as both the giver and receiver of these preserves, I must say they are gifts of love and very desirable...especially to those who don't have blackberries growing like weeds.

[notadmblnd]

21. The thing that bothers me about making wildberry jams

Is a lot of times they are wormy. And I'm never sure that I've soaked them long enough to get the worms to come out. It bothers me a little when I eat it, but what the heck a little protien is good for ya.:crazy:

[Heddi]

25. eek! Worms! Never thought of that....

ah well..they've been boiled and strained away by now.

And you're right. A little wriggly protein never hurt ANYONE!!!!!

[notadmblnd]

19. Making freezer jam is really easy

Just fruit sugar and pectin and water. I usually boil the sugar and pectin with a little water and bring to a boil. Let it boil probably about 5 minutes (not looking at recipe) then take it off burner and mix with fruit. Put it in containers and freeze. You can use plastic or glass . It will keep in freezer a good 6 months. I've used mine a long as a year after I've made it. Now you got me wanting to make strawberry jam amd strawberry season is well over here. Maybe I'll buy some at the market and make a small batch.

[Coffee Coyote]

10. You're 4 weeks late lol

I LOVE blackberry anything!!! :P

But I left Seattle 4 weeks ago and can't get any of your fine jelly. :evilfrown:

[Heddi]

12. DAM DAM DAM!!!

4 weeks ago they were still pink and sour.

Now they're black and sweet and juicy...

I looked like a kid this wknd at Gasworks Park----juice all over my hands and running down my face from stuffing berries in my mouth :)

[Coffee Coyote]

15. a kid????

Then I could have posted a thread about how kids at Gasworks Park annoy me with blackberry goo all over them! ;-)

[Heddi]

20. Yeah. And btw, my real name

Is Steyphyanyee Meghyannye Brytton :evilgrin:

[Coffee Coyote]

22. mine is...

Cawfee Keyeodee!

Some people call me ZombeeWuff. :D

[Heddi]

24. see, you would be cooler

and more "Kid of a Soccer Mom" if your name was spelled:

Cohfeey Kohyohtyee

or

Zohmbyee Wyfy

I'm anxiously awaiting the day I see a child with the name:

Yyeeeae ... you know...their parents just HAD to use all the 'cool' vowels (and yes, Y is sometimes a vowel, sometimes a consonant) before anyone else did .... :)

[scoelhoMA]

23. blackberry jelly or jam

Put them in jars, melt parifin wax in a small sauce pan let cool a little and fill up the rest of the jar with the parifin. It forms a seal and the berry jelly will last a long time both in or out of the fridge.:) I have never eaten frozen berry jam or jellys. They might lose some flavor in the process. Berries should be frozen whole. Then bagged.

[newyawker99]

27. Hi scoelhoMA!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Rowdyboy]

26. I'll pay shipping...

I LOVE blackberry jelly or jam and haven't had any homemade in years. It was a real favorite of mine as a child. Hell, start a mail order business. I'll buy.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

28. HEAVEN!

Just this past Sunday I went over to our local park and did my first blackberry pick of the year -- I was the first to hit the bramble and the branches were practically hitting the ground they were so heavy with fruit!

Picked a quick 6+ cups of berries and Mom whisked them off to Tahoe to make jam -- she has started to use the freezer method, and says the resulting product tastes more fresh than the cooked kind.

I'll be heading back to the brambles twice a week for the next month for picking -- there's jam, pie (MY FAVORITE!), and ice cream to be made!

YUM!

(Hey Noir, I can hook you us with some jam, if you'd like ;) )

[noiretextatique]

29. thanks, hell!

:D i'd love some :bounce: we have to get together real soon...i'm planning a reading at a bookstore here in oakland for september...will let you know :hi: