Strawberry Season Includes Jam

~Local Strawberries~
Some for freezing, some for snacking on and some for freezer jam

The local strawberries are available here in Western MA! At a roadside stand it is easy to purchase a quart or two to enjoy. They are delicious! We purchased a few quarts. Some to prep for our freezer, some to snack on and 3 quarts to make 3 batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam. Preparing jam has been a tradition for me for so many years. For me the commercial jams do not compare in taste to the jams I prepare and my family and I enjoy.

These past two days my kitchen has been hopping! After purchasing the red juicy strawberries it was time to prep some to place in our freezer to enjoy throughout the year. On the second day the Strawberry Freezer Jam was prepared. After placing the strawberry jam mixture into clean containers and snapping on the lids, the containers sat undisturbed for 24 hours. My dining room table came in very handy! After 24 hours passed the containers were placed in the freezer. About a month ago I had already purchased the needed Certo (liquid fruit pectin), granulated sugar and lemon juice. My containers for jam have been used for quite a few years. 

For complete instructions on my method, click here. 

Now that our supply of the fresh buy local strawberries and the strawberry freezer jams have found their spots in our freezer it's time to enjoy a strawberry sundae for dessert tonight.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Butternut Squash Muffins

Butternut Squash Muffins
(File Photo)

 

Two nights ago we enjoyed yummy Butternut Squash at dinner. After dinner there was about a 1/2 Cup of the mashed veggie left in our veggie dish. It was enough of the veggie to bake a batch of Butternut Squash Muffins in the next day or two. That day was today! I am using a File Photo above, but the muffins are now cooling on a cooling rack. They are delicious with either currants or raisins. 

**Because of the high cost of Eggs these days, I used 1 Whole Egg instead of 2 Egg Whites when preparing these muffins.

It is an easy recipe! Usually, after baking and cooling, 4 of the Muffins are packed away, labeled and placed in our freezer to enjoy in a few weeks. They are a great treat to find tucked away in our freezer on another day.

Click here for my recipe, so you can bake a batch too!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Freezing Butternut Squash!

Preparing Butternut Squash
for the freezer!
(File Photo)

It's that time of year!  The new "buy local" crop of Butternut Squash is available in October!  This yummy orange veggie is a great side dish at dinner and we have always enjoyed it!  For that reason we purchase a bushel of Butternut Squash at one of the local farms and prep the squash to freeze.  Yes, they can be purchased individually and sold by the pound at roadside stands and grocery stores, but we purchase a bushel and store it in our garage.  Then, a new project is added to our "to do" list.  Preparing the squash for the freezer.  

In addition to enjoying this vegetable as a delicious side dish at dinner, I use the prepared/ cooked/ mashed Butternut Squash in recipes by replacing it for canned pumpkin.  It works so well!  More on that later.   

The process for prepping and freezing the squash is quite simple.  After the individual squash are washed under cool running water, dry them.  Then, remove the stem, seeds and skin.  Cut into chunks and steam.  There is more to the process, so click here for my process/ recipe.  It works very well and before you know it you will have this tasty vegetable in your freezer, too!

Freezing Butternut Squash 

It will be in your freezer ready to take out whenever you want this tasty veggie to be included with your dinner or you will be using it in baking a treat.  The frozen Butternut Squash is defrosted in the microwave very easily!  Or it can be defrosted overnight in your fridge!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

~Blueberry Freezer Jam~

Blueberry Freezer Jam

The local blueberries are ripe! Oh yum!! Lately, I have been seeing blue. Well, blueberries to be exact. After purchasing the local delicious berries from a local farm on Friday, some were prepped for our freezer.  There was some snacking going on, too.  Fresh local blueberries are so good!! 

Saturday was designated "Blueberry Freezer Jam" day. I have been preparing Blueberry Freezer Jam for over 40 years!  Yes, that surprises me, too! Now, my freezer containers are different sizes and different shapes. Over the years I needed to replace some, so now they are varied in shapes.  Some are round and some are rectangular, but many of them now contain yummy homemade Blueberry Freezer Jam.

Growing up my family always made the traditional stir over a hot stove jams. Then, one day as I was rereading the directions for the "cooked" variety, I saw the interesting quicker freezer method.  I made one batch that year.  It was so easy to prepare and it tasted so good that is now the only  type of jams that I make.

I use CERTO liquid pectin.  The directions are found inside each box of CERTO along with 2 pouches of the liquid pectin. Follow the directions exactly. 

I also have my helpful hints to keep in mind when preparing Freezer Jams.  

For my additional hints about preparing Freezer Jams click here. 

Yesterday afternoon 3 batches of this delicious jam found its place in our freezer.  

We will be enjoying it!
Yummy!  

  

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Strawberry Freezer Jam
working its magic and prepping itself!

It's the season of local strawberries!  Nothing beats purchasing one, two or many quarts of these delicious juicy berries when the local crop is ready.  Yesterday, for me, it was many quarts.  No, we were not planning on eating all of them in the next few days.  I had plans!  Well, I have plans for strawberries every year.  Some were prepped for our freezer and 3 quarts were used today to make Strawberry Freezer Jam.  That is also another tradition with me.  Freezer Jam really makes itself while sitting undisturbed on a counter or in my case, our dining room table, for 24 hours.  Then, the Freezer Jams are placed in the freezer.

Strawberries, Sugar, Lemon Juice and Certo (liquid pectin) are the needed ingredients.  Clean freezer containers are needed, also.  So many years ago I made Strawberry Jams by stirring the mixture in a pot on the stove.  Usually, it was a hot day, but the jam was so delicious, it was worth it.  Then, I learned about Freezer Jams.  I really liked the idea, because after reading the directions it looked so easy.  That year I made one batch. It was easy to prep and it tasted so delicious!!  That was over 40 years ago!! 

To make one batch you will need 1 quart of fresh Strawberries!  The local strawberries are so good when prepping Strawberry Freezer Jam.  For more instructions and hints click here to read an older post about Freezer Jam.  It is worth the extra click!  Then, make a batch!

Enjoy!
Yummy!          

Freezing Green Pepper Strips and Chunks!

Getting ready to freeze Green Peppers strips.
(File Photo)

For me in the last two weeks it was time to start prepping and freezing Green Pepper strips and chunks!  This fresh local vegetable is available at roadside stands and supermarkets, so the peppers are ready to purchase.  It's another tradition for me at this time of year and does not take much time to do.  In the colder months taking a package out of the freezer to defrost is easy.  I use the strips as one of the toppings on homemade pizza and in other entrees.  Two years ago I did not take the time to freeze them and really missed using them.  So, it was time for me to get busy!

Ready to place in the bags to freeze.
(File Photo)

The details are in the post that I wrote last year. Click here for the Directions. 

"Mission accomplished!"  Now, they are in my freezer!

We will Enjoy this winter!
Yummy! 

~Peach Freezer Jam~

Peach Freezer Jam

Summer is definitely the time when it seems like all of the local fruits and veggies ripen at the same time.  The juicy blueberries are still available and now local peaches are too!  Ripened local peaches = it's time to prepare Peach Freezer Jam!  That was on my agenda on Monday.  Tuesday afternoon the Peach Freezer Jam was placed in our freezer. 

I use CERTO liquid fruit pectin when prepping this type, too.  The Directions are located inside the box.

(File Photo)

Even though I've been using this product and prepping Freezer Jams for about 40 years, I still reread the Directions every time.  Just in case there are any changes going on.  

The fruit needs to be prepped, first.  The skins of the peaches need to be removed.  An earlier Blog Post I wrote (click here) has more of the details.   

After placing these containers in our freezer I can say, "Mission Accomplished!" 

We will be Enjoying them!
Yummy!             

Blueberry Season

~Local Fresh Blueberries~

It's been that time of year! Time to purchase the local fresh Blueberries!  One morning about a week ago my tradition continued.  

The tradition is freezing Blueberries and Blueberry Freezer Jam!  I wrote the linked highlighted Post exactly two years ago.   

The fresh local blueberries were purchased and in the afternoon they were prepped for our freezer.  Yes, some were saved for munching, for the Jam and also for Blueberry Pancakes!  There was even some to add to cereal to enjoy at breakfast.  Yum and double yum!!

I did write the words "about a week ago".  This past year+ I have been cooking/ baking a lot!  Like so many of you have been.  Well, that led to me not blogging as much.        

Last year I did not prepare the Freezer Jams.  There were some containers left from the previous year and they tasted delicious!  However, this year they are finding their place in our freezer.  If blueberries grow in your area have you purchased them to freeze?  Or to prepare Freezer Jam?  They are so delicious! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!          

~Strawberry Freezer Jam~

Fresh Local Strawberries
and Strawberry Freezer Jam

Oh, this year it happened!! There are bags of prepared fresh local Strawberries in our freezer!!  And 3 batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam will also be located there!!  Last year everything was different because of the Pandemic and I did not freeze any Strawberries nor did I prepare any variety of Freezer Jams.  Sure, I purchased the commercial jams, but making jam has been a tradition of mine for decades.  Let's say a LOT of decades.  Homemade Jams taste so much better than the commercial brands, too.  Back in the day I made the "stir over the top of a hot stove" type jam.  That was until I found directions for Freezer Jams.  That first year I made 1 batch of Strawberry Freezer Jam- just to see how it would come out.  It was so good and it was so easy!  So, that has now been my method for the last few decades!

I use CERTO liquid fruit pectin- usually found in the gelatin/ pudding section of your grocery store.  

***Yesterday, I prepped 3 batches of Jam- 1 batch at a time. It's in the Directions- prepare 1 batch at a time!  

***The  Directions are found in the CERTO package. Follow exactly.  As a matter of fact- read all Directions before starting in.  Every year I reread them.

The Jam sits in the containers undisturbed for 24 hours, then it is placed in the freezer. Defrost when needed in the refrigerator.  

For my complete post on Strawberry Freezer Jam, click here. 

It's time for me to place my first batch in the freezer!

Enjoy!
Yummy!               

Peach Freezer Jam

Suddenly, it was time to prep the Peach Freezer Jam!  This is the last variety that I make every summer.  Yes, it's been every summer for- well, years.

The easy to follow directions are located inside the box of 2 pouches of CERTO.  The local peaches were purchased.  The easy way to ripen them is to place 3 (stem side down) in a small paper lunch bag and fold the top of the bag down 2- 3 times.  In about 2- 3 days the peaches will ripen.  Depending on the size of the peaches.

Then the clean containers and all of the ingredients are located.  Follow the directions exactly when making Freezer Jams.

An easy method to remove the peel is to place 2 peaches carefully in a pot of simmering water.  Let sit for about 55- 60 seconds.  Then, remove carefully with a slotted spoon and place on a dish to cool, slightly.  The skin will peel off easily and then the delicious juicy peach can be removed from the pit.

Peach Freezer jam
(File Photo)

The directions were followed and the containers filled.  Lids were placed on top and snapped shut.  Then the Peach Freezer Jams sat on our dining room table undisturbed for 24 hours.  After the time period was up, the Freezer Jams were placed in our large freezer.  They will be enjoyed during the coming months. 

This is so yummy and it is easy to prepare!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Freezing Blueberries and Blueberry Freezer Jam

Suddenly, it was blueberry season!  Oh, you know what that means.  You know the ole' saying- when the fresh local juicy blueberries are ready, purchase a large quantity to freeze and also to prepare Blueberry Freezer Jam!  That was on my agenda the middle of last week.

On Blueberry Day 1- A large quantity were triple rinsed in cold water, drained in a colander and then packaged in freezer bags.

Packaged, labelled & ready
to be placed on our freezer!

 On Blueberry Day 2- That was Blueberry Freezer Jam Day!  This year I prepared 2 batches- each batch was prepared separately.  All of the clean utensils, freezer containers and ingredients were taken out and I started in.  CERTO is the pectin I use- it is a liquid pectin.  The directions are in the CERTO box.  Follow directions exactly!  No shortcuts here! 

After Freezer Jams are prepared and placed in the containers with the lids snapped on and labelled, the containers sit on a table undisturbed for 24 hours.  Then, they are placed in the freezer until needed.  Taking a container out and placing in the fridge is easy enough and it is ready to enjoy on toast, English Muffins or as an addition to plain Yummy Yogurt.

Blueberry Freezer Jam
sitting on the table undisturbed for 24 hours!

It's amazing how time just flies by!  I had intended to post this last week.  The week just went in a flash!  We have also been enjoying fresh local blueberries in cereal, in fruit salads and yes, there was baking going on, too.  That is for other posts.  :)

Enjoy the local fresh fruit!
Yummy!

    

Freezing Strawberries + Freezer Jam

Yummy Strawberries!

Summer is here and suddenly it was time to purchase the local, yummy, juicy strawberries!  It's a tradition!  The already freshly picked quarts were purchased and after they arrived home it was time to prep/ freeze most of them to enjoy during the colder months here in Massachusetts.  Fresh local strawberries taste just sooo goood!!  Even the prepped local strawberries that are taken out of our freezer and defrosted.  There is something great about eating just ripe fruit.  Yum!!

To Freeze Strawberries:  Each berry was checked and the tops were cut off.  A triple rinse with cold water and draining them was the next step.  I like to cut the larger strawberries in halves or thirds before freezing. 

2 Cups of prepared fruit were placed in each freezer bag.  (Adding a little sugar to each bag is optional.)  Then, the bags were labeled and into our large freezer they went.  Oh, definitely there was a taste test and some strawberries are in our fridge ready to eat!

Strawberry Freezer Jam
Yes, the containers are recycled every year. :)

On Strawberry Day 2- three batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam were prepared.  We are not really partial to the commercial jams/ jellies/ preserves that are sold in supermarkets.  Making Freezer Jams has been another tradition of mine for over 40 years.  WoW!  It is that long.

After following the directions found in the CERTO package, the containers then sat on our dining room table undisturbed for 24 hours.  After the 24 hour time period they also found their place in our freezer.  Yum!

Our local, fresh, ripe, juicy Strawberries make their appearance in the fields once a year.  It's great to take the time to purchase them and then prep them to enjoy for the next 11 months.  Until there are no more found in our freezer, that is.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~ Peach Freezer Jam ~

Peach Freezer Jam

After enjoying a great week at the Cape (Cape Cod) it's time to finish preparing the Freezer Jams to enjoy during the other months of the year.  Now, it is peach season!  The local crop is so sweet, juicy and just plain yummy.  This past Thursday at our Farmers' Market, I purchased enough of this fresh fruit to make a batch of Peach Freezer Jam and also more that we could enjoy now.

They were not quite ripe, so 3 peaches were placed inside a brown paper lunch bag and the top closed.  In 2 days they riped, so the fresh peaches were placed in the fridge.

Ripening Peaches
(File Photo)

Yesterday, 7  peaches were used to prepare the delicious jam!  The sugar, lemon juice and Certo (liquid pectin) were all placed in their places on my kitchen counter.  The mixing bowls, spoons and measuring cups were added, along with the clean containers & lids.  I was getting down to business!  It was time to prepare the Peach Freezer Jam!!

After rinsing the peaches under cool water, the skins were removed.  It is easier to remove the skins if you place each peach in a pot of simmering water for about 60 seconds.  A slotted spoon comes in handy here to place it in the water and also to remove it.  Let the peaches cool a little on a plate lined with a paper towel.

Use a sharp knife and peel the skin.  Cut peach into slices.  Then, it's mashing time!  Mash the slices (a few at a time) with a (potato) masher.  Measure out needed amount and add to the required sugar in a large bowl.  Then, I was on my way to follow the rest of the directions that are included in the package of Certo.

~My Hints~  are handy to read!

Freezer Jam is just so delicious!  I am not a fan of commercial brands.  While growing up, my mom, sister & I always prepared jam the "cook over the stove" method.  For years now, I've been making Freezer Jams.  Yes, they are that good!!

***After following the directions, exactly (that are located in the Certo box) the jam containers then sit undisturbed for 24 hours.  After that time they are placed in the freezer.

Yes, I was daydreaming about the surf crashing on the shore two weeks ago at Nauset Light Beach while making jam yesterday.  We did see seals swimming at Nauset Beach, Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach.  It has been the summer of sharks looking for seals in the waters at the Cape.

Nauset Light Beach
at the Cape (Cape Cod)

My Peach Freezer Jam is now in our large freezer.  We'll enjoy it along with the Strawberry & Blueberry Jams in the coming year.  Hopefully, again, there is enough to last until next June!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

                 

Freezing Blueberries & Jam

Local Blueberries!

The local Blueberries are now available!  That was the signal to me to get busy!  I purchase this yummy sweet fruit and then clean/ freeze the berries to place in Ziploc Freezer bags and we enjoy them in the coming months.  After going through each pint of berries, they are triple washed and then drained.  Packing them away and then placing the labelled bags on "their" shelf in our large freezer.

No, not all of the berries are frozen.  There's still snacking going on and also Blueberry Freezer Jam was prepared.  Each of 3 batches was prepared separately.  After the 24 hour time period, the containers of Jam were also placed in the freezer.  Looking back, I've been preparing Freezer Jam for probably 40 years.  For me it sure is a LOT easier than stirring the mixture over a hot stove on a HHH summer day.  Easy works so well.  This jam is just so yummy!

CERTO is the liquid fruit pectin that I use.  The preparation directions are located inside each box.

CERTO

The key things to remember here:

• Use clean utensils, containers.
• Prepare each batch separately.
• Have ALL ingredients ready to use.
• Follow Directions EXACTLY.

This year I discovered that I had a medley of freezer containers to use.  It was time to place "freezer containers" on my grocery list!

Blueberry Freezer Jam

 Homemade Jam is just the best!!!  Fortunately for us, this year we did not run out of our supply before the first of the new Freezer Jams (Strawberry) was prepared in June.

Do you freeze the local fruit in the summer?  Do you prepare Freezer Jams?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

        

Strawberry Freezer Jam

~Strawberry Freezer Jam~

Sweet juicy local Strawberries are just the best!  They also make a wonderful flavorful jam!  For a few decades now, I've been preparing Freezer Jams when the fresh local fruit is available.  This week 3 batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam found its spot on our dining room table to "do its thing" for the required 24 hour period.  My kitchen had this production line set up.  The strawberries had already been prepared. 

My fave containers to use are the Ziploc 1 cup containers.  The circular ones that Ziploc no longer sells.  So, during the year after we've enjoy a container of jam, each container is carefully washed/ dried & stored away for future Freezer Jams.

One day this week was Strawberry Freezer Jam Day!  The strawberries, sugar, Certo (liquid pectin) and Lemon Juice were placed on the counter- ready to use.  The Directions are located inside each box of Certo.

While preparing this Jam follow directions exactly!  I always reread the Directions and also reread my Helpful Hints.  One batch is prepared at a time!

We had been enjoying the very last container of Freezer Jam- Peach - that was prepared last year.  What great timing for our local strawberry season!  Now, our freezer has a new supply.

Do you prepare Freezer Jams?
They are so much tastier than the commercial brands of jams!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

      

Peach Freezer Jam

Peach Freezer Jam

The local peach crop is in this year!  That was just great news for me & my annual preparation of Peach Freezer Jam!  There are 9 containers of this yummy jam sitting on our dining room table as I am typing this.  One batch yields 9 one cup containers + a small custard cup filled with the remainder (covered with foil).

On Friday the local peaches were purchased.  The needed amount for preparing the jam was placed in paper lunch bags to ripen.  They sat (closed) on the counter for 2 days.  Yesterday, the ripened peaches went into the fridge.  Today is Peach Freezer Jam Day for me!

The process is always the same.  I use Certo liquid pectin.  The directions are found in each box of Certo.  I always read over my own Helpful Hints, too!  I make only one batch.  However, if you will be preparing 2 batches, make each batch separately.

To start, rinse the fruit under cold running water.  Use clean utensils. 

After the jam is prepared & placed in the 1 cup freezer containers & covered/ labelled, it sits undisturbed for 24 hours.  Tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM I'll be placing the Peach Freezer Jam in our large freezer!  That little custard cup?  Oh, that will be placed in our fridge to enjoy for the next couple of weeks.  :)

Freezer Jams are just the best!

We will enjoy them again this year!
Yummy!

~Blueberry Freezer Jam~

Blueberry Freezer Jam

July & Blueberries go hand in hand!  It's the month when I purchase the locally grown berries from Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA & prep them for our freezer.  3 quarts are always saved to make Blueberry Freezer Jam the next day.  It's a tradition with me.  In my mom's kitchen we made the cooked jams, but years later I learned about the easy to prepare freezer jams.  That's my "go to" method!

Certo (liquid pectin), sugar & lemon juice are the other ingredients I use.  The complete directions are found in each box of Certo.  My 1 cup Ziploc freezer containers are located & my kitchen becomes a jam kitchen.  

A certain amount of blueberries are crushed & added to sugar.  They are stirred & the process begins.  It's always handy to have all the ingredients, utensils & containers/ lids ready to use.  Time just flies by after you set the timer. 

On Monday evening 3 batches of Blueberry Freezer Jam were sitting on our dining room table for the 24 hour time period.     

***Always prepare only 1 batch at a time. 

24 hours after the lids are placed on the top (& labelled/ dated) the jams are frozen.

My additional hints for freezer jams.

Do you prepare Freezer Jams?   So delicious!

We'll enjoy it all year!
Yummy!

~Strawberry Freezer Jam~

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Part II of my Strawberry Season is making Strawberry Freezer Jam! 

Back in the day I would stand over my stove, stirring the pot of crushed fruit & sugar- feeling quite warm on a summer day.  Then, one day I looked at the recipe for Strawberry Freezer Jam that was included in the Certo box's directions.  Certo is the liquid pectin that I always stirred (still do) into the fruit/ sugar mixture while making the cooked (now Freezer) jam. 

The 24 hour let it set, then freeze method looked really good, so I made a batch.  From that day on I always have made Freezer Jam! 

Hints to remember while making Freezer Jams:

• Read the directions first & follow exactly!  
• If you are making more than one batch, make only one batch at a time.
• Use clean bowls & utensils.
• Click here for more hints. 

We were missing the taste of this homemade jam.  There were no more containers of any flavor in our large freezer.  Somehow, the commercial jams, preserves, jellies just do not taste as good.

Woohoo!  It's strawberry season & my 3 batches are doing their thing on our dining room table!  Tomorrow they will be placed in our freezer!

We will Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

Fresh Local Strawberries

Local Fresh Strawberries

Today was the day!!!  Every year about the middle of June the local strawberries are ripe & ready for us to enjoy.  When visiting roadside stands or Farmer's Markets, quarts of these sweet yummy red berries are available to purchase.   It's been a tradition with me to purchase strawberries to prep for our large freezer & also to make Freezer Jam.  Oh, years ago the tradition was to go to the strawberry patch & pick the berries I needed.  Traditions change!  :)

This morning quarts of strawberries from Meadowbrook Farm in East Longmeadow, MA found their way to my kitchen.  After cutting off the tops, the strawberries were double rinsed in cold water & drained.  Then, 2 and 1/2 cups of this fruit were placed in Ziploc Freezer Bags.  Some of the larger strawberries were sliced first.  I add about 1 Tablespoon of sugar to each bag before closing.  It works well to move the sugar crystals around in the bag, so it dissolves.  Label & date each bag. 

In the winter months a defrosted bag of this yummy fruit is such a treat to top a Belgian Waffle, Yummy Oatmeal Pancakes or ice cream.

Ready for the Freezer!

Strawberries are always a 2 day project with me.  Tomorrow, I'll be making Strawberry Freezer Jam.

Do you enjoy making jams when the local fruit is available in your area?

Enjoy!
Yummy!