Today we visited a local orchard where they offer pick-your-own blackberries! We filled up a gallon bucket and got to eat all the berries we wanted. Plus, the kids had a blast!
I shared on Facebook last week that my first canning/jellying session did not go so well, but many of you gave me some great encouragement to not give up on canning. So, I’m going to to try again and will be making blackberry jelly and peach jelly this time (I bought a box of seconds peaches while at the orchard). Hopefully it goes a bit more smoothly this time!
I highly recommend checking to see if there is a pick-your-own berry patch or orchard in your area. For $15 we got a large bag of berries, had a fun time in the fresh air with our friends, and got to eat all the berries we wanted! Not bad!
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I love blackberry jelly! My mama made it all the time when I was little. She always strained the seeds out of the juice. Blueberry, dewberry, plum, and blackberry juice always has to be strained at my house. My people like jelly not jam! Makes for more work, but is soooo good!! We love "homemade" stuff!
@Veronica, Would you believe I don't like jelly? LOL! My kids LOVE it though! I will definitely be straining the seeds too.
http://www.pickyourown.org may prove a useful resource for some to find local places...
@Andrew Hime, Thank you!! That is a great site!
Try making freezer jam. It's super easy...no cooking involved, and when you eat the jam, the berries still taste fresh! I prefer the Ball freezer jam packet which takes 4 cups mashed fruit and just 1-1/2 cup sugar (cane sugar works just as well and is healthier) so you taste more berries and less sugar. Tastes great on pancakes and as a cake filling or topping.
@Ramona C, I definitely plan on making freezer jam in the future - especially if this canning session goes poorly, lol.
Would you tell me how much they were charging for peaches? I may have to go investigate :)
@D'Ann, I don't know how many pounds but I got a box of seconds (not great for eating but fine for jelly) peaches for $18 and the nice peaches were going for $35.
Wonderful! Thanks!
Ooh, we did this last weekend - got 14.5 pounds of cherries.. So beautiful, and so delicious. I didn't have time to can them though so I froze them. I'm hoping to be able to can them here soon.. cherry jam. Yum!
@Katherine, Cherry jam? YUM!!
Neat!!! Mind if I ask where y'all went? I've found a blueberry place but would love to find some other DFW fruit picking spots!
@Rachel, Ham's Orchard just east of Terrell. Very nice place, super nice and helpful employees, and you have to try the peach ice cream (it's delicious!!).