Every year about this time, Ryan and I bless the Lord Jesus for the man (or woman) who planted our blueberry bushes.
It must have been thirty years ago at least; the bushes are taller than my head—about a dozen of them in a long row. Last year we harvested 13 gallons of berries. This year we are already to 13 and I’m thinking the harvest is about half picked. They are LOADED.
We always invite a few friends and family in to pick with us.
We eat them fresh, we freeze them, we dry a few…
We feast on luscious pie with real whipped cream, as in real cream whipped, as in skimmed off a gallon of milk from a local farm…
And this year I decided to try making some blueberry jam. I’ve never had blueberry jam except as jelly (all the pulp removed) or as dried berry lumps inside the jam. I didn’t want either one—I wanted a smooth puree.
When I blended the berries, they turned a heavenly shade of magenta-purple.
The jam is delicious! with a full, gentle flavor.
Blueberry Freezer Jam
4 cups blueberries
4 cups sugar
1 box Sure-Jell or 1/3 cup (rounded) of bulk gel
¾ cup water
Puree berries well in blender. Stir in sugar and let rest 10 minutes. Stir gel and water together in a saucepan; boil for one minute. Pour into berries and stir 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Pour into containers and let set at room temperature 24 hours or until firm.
Do you make freezer jam? What fruits do you like to use?
*****
PS–I guess you know that your anonymous comment days are over? You had glorious things to say, and I wanted to give you an opportunity to say them with modesty and courage on a deeply personal subject. I feel so honored by the way you shared your thoughts with me. But come back with real faces. I missed you.
Sounds like you should be the one making the blueberry topping for the FBCS pancake breakfast. Strawberry jam is our all time favorite.
I’m a little bit jealous of your berry bushes. Someday when we live in the same place for more than two years, my husband and I want to invest in several types of berries. Have fun! There are so many things to do with blueberries.
Blueberry jam sounds so yummy! You are making me want to get more blueberries just to make some. I don’t know about you, but while we love jam I always cringe at the amount of sugar in it. Last year someone told me about a pectin that uses much less sugar (1 1/2 cups to 4 cups fruit) and we love it! Not only do I feel better about eating the jam it also tastes more delicious since it is actually more fruit and less other stuff. Here’s a link to the one I used, although I’m told Ball makes a similar product: Mrs. Wages NO COOK Freezer Jam – SIX-1.59oz packets
Oh, it’s good, folks. The pie was heavenly.
Just rub it in Ryan. The pie looks divine! The crust looks perfect. I’m thinking Shari needs to bring a blueberry dessert for this weekend?! Yum!
Oh rats. You should have talked sooner! I was all set to bring blueberry pie and then thought that’s what I brought last year. 🙂 So I’m bringing a luxurious chocolate-caramel cake instead. I told Renita I’m putting in some homemade bread and blueberry jam–does that count?
The crust was not as good as it looks. You need to teach me how.
Homemade bread sounds even better. I’m a sucker for bread! As far as the dessert goes……you had me at chocolate!
What I wouldn’t give for blueberry bushes like that! I once worked in a blueberry patch for a job, and ever since I crave those things every summer. Those are gorgeous and huge! Blueberries make some of the prettiest pictures.
The pie!!! Oh, save me