Local Strawberry Season

"Buying Local" and enjoying the delicious strawberries!

June is the month of local Strawberries and "buying local" is the way to go here in New England.  Suddenly, we learn that the red berries are available at the roadside stands and our purchase is made.  It would not be the typical month of June for me if bags of this prepared fruit were not placed in our freezer along with Freezer Jam.

Click here for my method of freezing strawberries and preparing Freezer Jam.   

Time flies when you are having fun!  It also flies when you have traditional projects to accomplish.  

Enjoy!

      

Blueberries & Freezer Jam

Local Blueberry Season is here!

B-l-u-e-b-e-r-r-i-e-s!  Oh, yum!  It's the time of year when the local blue sweet pieces of fruit are ripe!  T'was a week of blueberries for me.

Our winter supply is now packed away in the freezer. 

Definitely Blueberry Freezer Jam was on my agenda, too.  On Wednesday afternoon 2 batches were prepared, separately.  The fresh Blueberries double rinsed under cool running water & drained, Certo, Sugar &  Lemon Juice were placed on my counter- ready to use.  The Ziploc Freezer Containers were washed & dried.  It was time to make the yummy homemade jam!  The directions are found inside each box of Certo.   Before I knew it, the containers were filled & the top was popped in place. 

Then, each container was labelled/ dated including the time it was placed in the plastic Ziploc Freezer Container.  The 2 batches of Blueberry Freezer Jam sat on our dining room table making themselves for the 24 hour wait period.  After 24 hours, into the freezer each container was placed.

If you are interested in Blueberry Freezer Jam, click here for my Helpful Hints!  Homemade Jams & Jellies taste so much better than the commercial brands!

Do you prep/ freeze local fresh Blueberries to use the remainder of the year?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Getting ready to prep the Freezer Jam

Here in Western MA when the local Strawberry season is ripe, it's a wonderful treat to savor the taste of the fresh, sweet, juicy strawberries!  I always prep a flat of this delicious fruit and store sliced 2- cup portions in Ziploc Freezer Bags to enjoy during the year.  There is a reserved place on the top shelf of our large freezer for them.

On the same freezer shelf, there's also a reserved spot for Strawberry Freezer Jam!  Yesterday, was Jam day.  While growing up my mom, sister & I "put up" jams every summer for our fam to enjoy all year.  Now, I no longer stir the concoction over a hot stove top and use a paraffin wax sealer - like back in the day.  Freezer Jam has been my method for quite a few years.  Those Ziploc 1-cup containers are so handy.

Freezer Jam is very easy to prepare.  A package of Certo Liquid Fruit Pectin contains the directions along with 2 pouches of the liquid pectin.  The directions need to be followed exactly.  Wash & dry the 1-cup containers that will be used. Click here for more of my helpful hints and suggestions!

This year the Freezer Jam is especially craved.  After losing all foods in our freezer last Halloween due to the Halloween Nor'easter surprise (with no electricity for 6 days), we purchased commercially prepared jam this past year.  The purchased jam/preserves do not compare in taste when the competition is Homemade Freezer Jam!

Yesterday, three batches were prepared - one batch at a time.  The line up was sitting on our table for the 24 hours - before each batch would be placed in its reserved place in our freezer.  Each container is labelled, including the time when it would take its place on the top shelf.  The last batch of Strawberry Freezer Jam will be stored at 4:30 PM.  :)

   

Strawberry Freezer Jam Line-Up

Do you make Freezer Jam?  It's scrumptious!  

Enjoy!

Yummy!

                

~Blueberries~

It's July!  It's HHH and the local Blueberry crop tastes delicious!  Our supply of the local sweet juicy Blueberries for the year is now stored in the large freezer downstairs.  It's a tad too warm to use the oven, so my little griddle was put to work.  This AM Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes tasted delicious!  Below, the third pancake is ready to flip over.     

After my DH & I enjoyed our breakfast the remaining pancakes were cooked.  The photo on my blog masthead gives a wonderful idea as to the quantity of delicious light pancakes (with a small amount of Cinnamon & Nutmeg) one batch yields.  The extras are cooled, packaged and placed in our freezer.

Earlier this summer when I was redesigning my blog, the large plate of Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes kept coming to mind.  I had to include it.

This afternoon Blueberry Freezer Jam is on the agenda.  Two batches will be made -  each batch made separately.  I like this 24 hour method so much better than preserving the Jam using the method my mom & sister used during my childhood.  No stirring over a hot stove any more.  

Our supply of Blueberries are so juicy and delicious that next week we will probably purchase more to enjoy now and to freeze to enjoy later in the year. 

Are Blueberries one of your favorite fruits?  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

                

Time to Make the Yogurt!

This AM there was one item that definitely needed to be started - the yogurt!  Every two weeks my two Donvier Yogurt Makers take their place on my side counter.  Each 6 oz. yogurt container is filled with milk that has been heated and cooled with the yogurt culture added.  The culture is taken from the previous batch.  When any batch tastes a bit strong, it is time to purchase a commercial container of plain, unflavored low fat yogurt to use for the next batch.  Then, I start the process, again. 

We enjoy Low Fat Yogurt that is ready in about 7 hours and 30 minutes.  The easy to follow directions are included with the handy Yogurt Maker.  Using 1% Milk, I add a tablespoon of Powdered Milk before the Milk is heated.  A very large mixing bowl comes in very handy when preparing Yogurt!  

My first Yogurt Maker was a 5 container Salton.  For a good 20 years it was put to such great use that suddenly one day it stopped heating.  Then, I purchased the 2 Donvier Yogurt Makers.  Making a double batch works very well.  Regardless if the Yogurt is eaten unflavored or with fruit or jam, this delicious source of calcium is always in our fridge.

The bananas in our fruit bowl are in the "great for eating" stage of ripeness, so tomorrow at lunchtime it's Yogurt with a little Freezer Jam + banana for me.  :)

Yummy!
I will enjoy!

            

Blueberry Season is here!!!

The local blueberries are available at roadside stands!  On Friday afternoon it was time to stop working on my sewing project.  My blue shorts were put on hold.  My DH & I drove out to Calabrese Farms in Southwick to purchase our year's supply of blueberries.  For me it is a tradition started in  my childhood to prepare & freeze the sweet, juicy, blue fruits of the summer.  Years ago (we'll forget about the number), my family would spend a day in August picking these tasty small pieces of fruit and pay for them by the pound.  There was a procedure involved - first the buckets were weighed after arriving at the blueberry fields.  I prefer my new method - purchase a large quantity of quarts already picked.  :)  

Later on Friday afternoon a large amount of the scrumptious berries were prepared to be frozen.  After going through them, they were double washed, drained, packed in Ziploc Freezer bags, labeled and dated.  

Now, Blueberries are also in our fridge!  Who can resist reaching into a container and getting a handful, especially when so many are available?  Rinse and a tasty, healthy snack awaits!  Oh, there has been snacking.  One batch of Blueberry Freezer Jam was made yesterday and another today.  

I also see a batch of Yummy Blueberry Muffins on the horizon.  If you'd like my recipe, click and print a  recipe card.  I use an Egg and also Egg Whites when baking these light, yummy muffins.  Cinnamon is also added.  One batch yields 22 muffins and they also freeze very well!  So good!       

Are local blueberries available to you?  Do you add them to cold cereal?  Have you made Blueberry Freezer Jam?  It's easy to make and tastes delicious!  Does you family like Blueberry Muffins?

Yummy!
Enjoy!

                     



               

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!

Is There Any Yogurt?

It’s the first week in January, already! The decorations have been packed away for next year. Oh, these mornings are so brisk! Wearing boots whenever heading outside is definitely a must. It is chilly outdoors, but … winter in New England is so pretty! When it is snowing outside I still enjoy catching an individual snowflake on my glove or mitten and then looking at its design - that is until it melts.

This first week of the New Year reminds me of a few things that need to be finished. My first goal is to replenish the fridge. Then, I need to finish the fleece jacket that has been patiently waiting on my sewing machine cabinet. Then …

That empty fridge still beckons me. My Hubby & I enjoy eating Yogurt most days at lunchtime. This afternoon my two Donvier Yogurt Makers were set to work. Later today, sixteen containers of creamy white delicious yogurt will find their places on the top shelf in our fridge. Eating Yummy Yogurt (click here) flavored with Freezer Jam (click here)will bring back memories of this past summer’s sunny, hot days. Ah, New England!

Do you enjoy eating Yogurt? My favorite flavors are Peach and Strawberry. What are yours? Do you have a Yogurt Maker?

First Peppers and Then Slices of Peppers!

What a beautiful sunny Monday! It was the day to go to the fridge and take out the Green Peppers that were purchased two days ago. Here in Massachusetts it’s great to visit a roadside veggie stand and purchase the local fresh produce. Our grocery stores carry the fresh products that are grown in our area, also. A few days ago locally grown Green Peppers and Peaches were purchased. One batch of Peach Freezer Jam will be made tomorrow. The Certo is waiting!

Today the Green Peppers were washed, cut in strips and placed in individual sandwich bags. The sandwich bags were then placed in Ziploc Freezer Bags and into the freezer they went!

During the winter on a cold snowy day when I am making dinner I will reach into my freezer and take out a bag of sliced peppers to add. Peppers always taste so good when they are added into dishes containing tomato sauce.

Do you add Green Peppers to main dishes? Do you have local veggie stands where you purchase your produce in the summer and early fall?

Blueberries, Blueberries and More Blueberries!

Easier is so much better! On Thursday, my hubby & I drove out to Southwick and purchased a large quantity of the local, fresh, sweet, colorful blueberries. Yes, it’s Blueberry Season, but we really did not want to pick them ourselves! It was much easier to purchase them already picked! At the farm roadside stand, when a larger quantity is purchased, the cost/quart is much less.

In the afternoon many Ziploc bags containing the delicious berries were packed and labeled. Our supply of blueberries for the year is now in our freezer.

Yesterday afternoon two batches of homemade Blueberry Freezer Jam (click) were made, one batch at a time. Later today the containers will be placed in our freezer. The third batch of Blueberry Freezer Jam (click) will be prepared tomorrow.

This morning Blueberry Pancakes (with cinnamon and nutmeg) tasted absolutely scrumptious at breakfast. The extra pancakes were individually placed in sandwich bags and then in a Ziploc Freezer bag. Into the freezer they went. On another morning we will enjoy them, again.

When the fresh local blueberries are in season we totally enjoy them! Yes, more are in our fridge waiting to be enjoyed. Making Blueberry Delisimo (click) and Yummy Blueberry Muffins (click) is also on my agenda. A homemade Blueberry Muffin – Yummy!

Do blueberries grown in your area? Do you purchase the fresh local blueberries? How do you enjoy them?

Ahh, blueberries are so good!
We are enjoying them!

Yummy!

No More Freezer Jam Left?

Here in the Pioneer Valley during the month of June the fields of fresh, juicy strawberries will be ready to be picked. Roadside stands will also be selling the local sweet, red strawberries. This is a very pleasant thought, because as of two weeks ago our supply of Freezer Jam is gone. Yes, I did purchase a jar of strawberry jam in the grocery store, but it really does not taste as good as the delicious colorful jam that I prepared and we enjoyed all this past year.

Have you ever made Freezer Jam? What flavor do you make? The three flavors I prepare and freeze are Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach.

Before the season starts I purchase the needed supplies. It is so much easier to have the materials standing by to use when the fruit is ready to be picked. Now is the time for me to pay attention to Sales on the required items. Certo (Liquid Fruit Pectin) will be needed. I use 1- Cup Ziploc Containers. Occasionally, our local grocery stores have specials on Sugar and Ziploc Containers. I might even have a coupon or two to use! Lemon Juice is a staple in my fridge. Suddenly, the local fruit is ready to be picked or purchased and I will be preparing the jam.

Before I know it, the season for making Freezer Jam will be here! (Click here for extra hints.) The process is very easy – but the directions in the Certo package need to be followed, exactly. There are no short cuts. Oh, Freezer Jam tastes so much better than the store purchased varieties. It is time to get ready!

Yummy!

Ah, Creamy Cheesy Pie!

Suddenly this weekend summer arrived in April! We searched our closets for shorts and short-sleeved shirts. Our outdoor grill was used and it was time to prepare an easy dessert – Creamy Cheesy Pie! My mother-in-law introduced me to this tasty recipe over 30 years ago. One evening after serving it, she confided to me how simple this delicious treat was to prepare. Oh yes, it certainly is! Vanilla flavored or chocolate flavored – Yummy!

There are few ingredients needed for this scrumptious dessert – a purchased graham cracker piecrust, a box of pudding (to cook), milk and a bar of cream cheese. For best results - prepare and then chill overnight. Before making this dessert, place the purchased graham cracker piecrust on a large plate. Then, pour the filling into the crust. It is easier to place in the fridge.

A slice of Vanilla Creamy Cheesy Pie served with a dollop of whipped cream and a little Freezer Jam! Yummy!

What is your favorite flavor?

Enjoy!