Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Strawberries!

It’s June and definitely Strawberry season! Hmm, perhaps I should clarify this a bit – the end of June is approaching and the local fresh Strawberry season will be coming to a close soon. Every year, as far back as I can remember, I have prepared and then placed fresh Strawberries in the freezer. While growing up it was a tradition of summer. My sister & I would help our mom with the Strawberries detail. Then, came the Blueberries.
(File Photo)

Knowing how much my family enjoys Strawberries on Oatmeal Pancakes, ice cream, or in fruit salads throughout the year, Meadowbrook Farm in East Longmeadow was my destination on Monday morning. An overflowing 8-quart container plus two additional quarts were purchased.

Most of these delicious, juicy, fragrant, red berries were placed in Ziploc Freezer Bags. However, first the tops were removed. The berries were double washed in cold water, sliced and then packaged and dated.

Today was the day for Strawberry Freezer Jam. Certo, Lemon Juice, Sugar and 1-cup freezer containers are also needed. Freezer Jam is great! The directions are located inside a box of Certo.


After getting the 2 batches completed, the containers will sit undisturbed for 24 hours on my Dining Room table. Tomorrow after the 24 hours pass, they will be placed in the freezer.  June has been a very busy month, but the desired trip to Meadowbrook Farm for Strawberries was made. Nothing compares to fresh local fruit or produce!

Now, I will also be able to bake Strawberry Banana Bread, again!

Do you purchase local fresh fruit?  Do you make Freezer Jam?

Enjoy!
Yummy!



5 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

Great idea to freeze berries for later in the year. I made strawberry freezer jam for the first time this year. I don't know why I've waited so long.

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of freezer jam. What a wonderful idea!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I made strawberry freezer jam last summer - it was delicious! Love your idea to freeze berries when they are plentiful - must remember that when summer comes around.

Kristen said...

Local fruit for me would be prickly pears (cactus)! There are no orchards or berry farms around me here in arid Arizona. We do have some fruit trees in our yard and the peach and plum trees are loaded. This fall, I am hoping to do a lot with them.
My mil makes freezer jam every year. It is like capturing fresh strawberries in a jar. YUM!

Unknown said...

I love strawberries! I haven't made freezer jam in a long time. After reading your blog, I think it is time to do it again.