We”ll be finishing up the last of our wild blackberry jam this week… making it not eating it.
- One batch of blackberry jam.
Our blackberries have been producing quite well for a number of weeks now. We only have a few plants but as long as we keep picking them, it seems like they keep on producing.
- You need to pick this many berries for one batch of jam which will give you ten half-pint jars.
In our little corner of the township we have been experiencing a mini-drought, so the berries are not as large as they usually are. Even so, we’ll have nearly 50 half-pints of blackberry jam made up to give out as Christmas presents this year.
If you or someone you know is out of work and out of money and is worrying about what they’ll give for Christmas to all of the extended family members, I suggest you think about making some jam or jelly to give away as gifts. It really doesn’t take much of an investment in cash, it just takes some time.
Perhaps you don’t have berry plants of your own, ask around maybe somebody has a berry patch that they will let you pick from. There are also pick-your-own farms within reasonable driving distance from anywhere in Michigan.
Blackberries are winding down in our part of the state but blueberries are still going strong and we have raspberries and grapes to look forward to as well.
Never made jam or jelly before? It’s pretty easy to do all you need is fruit, sugar, pectin and a few jars from the grocery store. Then just follow the simple directions that comes along with every box of fruit pectin.
Even if money is tight, by making jelly or jam, you’ll have much of your Christmas list taken care of early this year.
Bob and Judy