tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post4157170758785953735..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: This Year's Strawberry JamLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-7473709503325454542011-06-01T06:09:27.430-04:002011-06-01T06:09:27.430-04:00Tina, I love having early strawberries. The only p...Tina, I love having early strawberries. The only problem is that when we're through, I have to watch everyone else enjoying theirs! LOLLeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-39675733940734620762011-06-01T03:02:18.837-04:002011-06-01T03:02:18.837-04:00Wow, I can't believe you have strawberries alr...Wow, I can't believe you have strawberries already - we normally don't even see any local berries until the end of June - and this year, I'm sure they will be late because it's been so cold. Good job - looks like yummy jam! T.Tina T-Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13054132355737998706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-17859430968009470422011-05-28T13:16:46.385-04:002011-05-28T13:16:46.385-04:00BRF, blog hopping before breakfast must be done at...BRF, blog hopping before breakfast must be done at one's own risk! LOL<br /><br />CeAnne, good question. This batch is very thick, almost solid, as in, I can turn the jar upside-down and nothing comes out. I do have runny batches of jam from time to time, and always assumed it had to do with the pectin. We just use these as fruit syrup. The pectin I use is usually Ball's. I know a lot of folks like Pomona's, but I find it too expensive for all the jams and jellies I put up. <br /><br />In regards to amount of fruit, I follow the direction with the pectin, but if it calls for additional water or juice, I replace that with fruit! Always works well and the product is less watered down (IMO). <br /><br />I think there is an art to jam and jelly making, but I can't say I have it mastered. Your raspberry sounds good though so I will definitely have to try that!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90887450019141920722011-05-28T11:58:56.870-04:002011-05-28T11:58:56.870-04:00How does your low sugar jam turn out in terms of c...How does your low sugar jam turn out in terms of consistency? I made some recently with some frozen home grown raspberries and it looks all water. I did notice you use a cup more of fruit than the recipe though. Any tips? I ended up making the next two batches with just 2 cups of sugar and it turned out great.Kosel Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969053405051139775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-76523519287109391582011-05-28T10:16:55.595-04:002011-05-28T10:16:55.595-04:00I have to stop reading your blog before I eat brea...I have to stop reading your blog before I eat breakfast...your photos look so yummy!!!<br /><br />Now, off to try to find something for breakfast...got any left over?!BrokenRoadFarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09009162969006682361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-31761772759371019832011-05-28T09:35:32.789-04:002011-05-28T09:35:32.789-04:00Oh! I still purchase sweeteners: sugar, honey, and...Oh! I still purchase sweeteners: sugar, honey, and molasses.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-22688863074566622232011-05-27T21:36:03.843-04:002011-05-27T21:36:03.843-04:00Sherri, this is the first time I've grown stra...Sherri, this is the first time I've grown strawberries, and the first time to make our own, homegrown strawberry jam!<br /><br />Mama Pea, that's an excellent idea. I admit that sometimes last winter I was looking for excuses to cook and warm up the kitchen!<br /><br />Jane, LOL. You just need to plant more strawberries. :)<br /><br />Debbie, I couldn't agree more!<br /><br />Barb, my dad loves it over ice cream. I can't talk Dan into trying that because he wants to save it all for toast!<br /><br />BMT, come on by!<br /><br />Renee, agreed!<br /><br />Tami, congratulations! Isn't it fun? Oh what a feeling to have those jars of homemade goodness. <br /><br />Anonymous, very good question. I no longer purchase vegetables (including tomato sauce), eggs, or milk. Oh, except onions and garlic. I'm still working on getting enough of those (we use a lot). Hopefully I will start making our own cheese and butter soon. We have quite a bit of our own fruit, but I buy apples for Dan to take in his lunchbox. Mostly we're buying our meats, grains (whole grains, cereal & some flours), cheese, and fats/oils for cooking. The meats (I try to stick with grass fed) and fats (palm shortening, coconut oil, & olive oil) are of course some of the more expensive food items, but even so I'm spending a whole lot less of food. I do purchase chicken and goat feed from the grocery budget, but I think the trade off more than worth it. <br /><br />I hope your time is right soon. Not only is it rewarding, but there is a wonderful sense of well being that accompanies the homesteading lifestyle.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5044442952963321662011-05-27T20:10:22.240-04:002011-05-27T20:10:22.240-04:00I was wondering how much the produce from your lan...I was wondering how much the produce from your land has decreased the amounts you need to purchase? What you are doing is what I want to get to when the time is right for my family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63592818900715584952011-05-27T20:07:05.638-04:002011-05-27T20:07:05.638-04:00I made my first batch of strawberry jam this year....I made my first batch of strawberry jam this year. Ain't no stopping me now! I never thought of blueberry! I have some frozen from last year. I also hope to make some peach, cherry and apricot once they come in season. YumTamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597093453934852571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-13847732441568253582011-05-27T19:22:23.255-04:002011-05-27T19:22:23.255-04:00jam from your own picked fruit is always the best....jam from your own picked fruit is always the best. :DRenee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64060385467232844112011-05-27T18:24:42.099-04:002011-05-27T18:24:42.099-04:00Want some! They look terrifically delicious.Want some! They look terrifically delicious.Madness, Trouble, Squish and Milkbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02368723357507438999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-15950469372162200812011-05-27T15:24:01.013-04:002011-05-27T15:24:01.013-04:00The strawberries are beautiful!!! I am so jealous...The strawberries are beautiful!!! I am so jealous. Everytime I made any kind of jam I've had to buy the fruit. Doesn't strawberry jam taste good over ice cream? Love it!bspinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11385723696922637454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-30596490317972478642011-05-27T15:17:08.945-04:002011-05-27T15:17:08.945-04:00That looks fantastic! Nothing better than fresh ho...That looks fantastic! Nothing better than fresh homemade jam.<br /><br />I have flower pictures for you now: http://harmonyandbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/05/garden-now-with-bee.htmlDebbieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00508692845369401119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-3589925271288552532011-05-27T14:41:58.153-04:002011-05-27T14:41:58.153-04:00I won't eat any strawberries other than my own...I won't eat any strawberries other than my own so by the time they are ripe I am starving for a fresh berry. Needless to say, I never am able to make a strawberry recipe because none ever survive the trip from the patch into the house. They all end up in my belly:)Jane @ Hard Work Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02905658082120445313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-13744483826885449482011-05-27T13:10:30.207-04:002011-05-27T13:10:30.207-04:00I know of a couple of gals who always freeze their...I know of a couple of gals who always freeze their summer harvest of fruit to make jam in the winter when they have more time for such endeavors. Your jam looks luscious and, of course, it tastes better than that made from berries you had to purchase! Self-sufficiency . . . another step in the right direction!Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64441909666316096422011-05-27T12:14:55.915-04:002011-05-27T12:14:55.915-04:00So nice that you could get enough from your own be...So nice that you could get enough from your own berries...Everything always tastes better when from your own dirt, doesn't it?!Sherri B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294100834139745noreply@blogger.com