There was an abundance of wild fruit. Thickets of wild crab apples, delicious wild plums, blackberries, raspberries, and the meadows were full of wild strawberries…Father went to the woods and cut down a bee tree and brought it to the house. It supplied the family with honey for many years to come. Nuts were also plentiful—just waiting to be gathered and stored for winter use. Who could not live well with such fruitful and abundant surroundings …” —Izanna Chamberlain’s 1891 album
In early summer, a morning walk through the meadows yields a bounty of wild berries, hidden in patches and thickets and growing in hedgerows along old country roads. During such pleasant excursions, the choicest of fruits are carefully selected and the finest are simmered into delicious preserves, filling the home with the syrupy scents of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries fresh from the vine. From the old cherry tree, baskets of ruby red cherries, ripened to sweet perfection, are simmered into delicious cherry marmalades and conserves, while others are baked into sweet breads, muffins and scones for afternoon tea parties.
Wild Blackberry Jam
9 Cups wild blackberries, picked over and clean 1 Cup of water ½ Cup of sugar
Pick over the berries to remove the leaves, stems and caps. Place the berries in a colander and rinse in cold water making sure they are clean and free of debris, removing any berries, which appear to be bruised or show signs of imperfection. Place the berries and one cup of water in a kettle or saucepan that is twice as deep as the berries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook gently for approximately 10 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. After the berries have boiled for 10 minutes, run the berries through a sieve to remove any seeds, and then return the berries to the kettle. Add the sugar, stirring well to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil, cooking until a candy thermometer reads 222 degrees. Ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized pint jars. Process the jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
Many thanks to In My Cedar Chestfor the lovely design at the top of the page!!!
