Freezing Whole Raspberries

In an earlier post I referred to my family as a bunch of "smoothie drinkers".  It just sounds so naughty, like we have a problem or something.  I don't know - maybe we do.  Problem or not, our smoothie hang up has resulted in a freezer full of fruit.  Our recent trip to Heeman's Greenhouses and Strawberry Farm in London, ON yielded a ton of fresh raspberries so what's a girl to do but freeze 'em!

Frozen berries.  Awesome!

Frozen berries are not only great for smoothies but to use in desserts, add as a topping to hot oatmeal or cereal, for snacking and making sauces for pancakes or icecream.  Also, as store bought frozen fruit can be expensive, picking and prepping your own is a more economical way to do it (and who wants to be known as un-economical, really?).  Also, I try to buy from the farmers in our area as much as I can.

Simply give the berries a gentle rinse and lay out to dry on a tea towel or some paper towels.  I actually use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry 'em up quick because a) I don't have time to wait, b) I am an impatient person, c) the longer they sit on the counter, the quicker they mysteriously disappear and my boys and I somehow no longer have room for dinner, or d) all of the above.
Next, place the berries, in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap, and pop into the freezer.  This will ensure your berries will be individually frozen and not in one big clump.  Once frozen, put them into freezer bags or a freezer safe container that seals tightly.  Voila!  You have beautiful berries ready and waiting to be snacked upon or thrown at your favourite family member when they are walking by unexpectedly and you are in one of those moods.  Just don't aim for the face. 

This is where I begin to feel like an accomplished woman!  Ha!

Signing off,

xo
Jen

Raspberry Jam

Hello Gorgeous!

My Berries!  

It is raspberry season again and I am soooooo happy!!  (I apparently don't get out much).  To make hay when the sun shines is an understatement around here.  This is the time of year I do my best to get my hands on as much fresh, local produce as possible .  This year, because Miller Berry Farms were sold out of berries early, squirrely the day I planned to go, we decided to drive out to Heeman's Greenhouses and Strawberry Farm on Nissouri Rd, just behind the Airport in London, ON.  Suffice it to say, we had raspberry success and walked out with - ahem - $80 in beautiful berries.  (My husband almost fell off the chair he wasn't sitting on when the girl rung us out).

The first box!  There were more......

Obviously I now had to busy myself in the kitchen beginning to stockpile our freezer for the Fall and Winter to come.  My husband's favourite sandwich to take to work is still the classic PB & J and the boy's  love Jam to sweeten and flavour Plain or Vanilla Yogurt so I like to make up a bunch of freezer jams to have on hand.  Also, we are a family of smoothie drinkers (doesn't it sound scandalous when I say it that way) so freezing whole berries is a must in these here parts.  I find frozen fruit to be expensive to buy so when we can pick or buy direct from the farm and freeze our own, it is the most cost efficient way to do it.  This is also a great family activity that teaches the boys where our food comes from and supports our local farmers, keeping our dollars in the community.  It's pretty much a win, win!

Aren't they gorgeous?

Ooh Mama!

It's like Potion's Class at Hogwarts.....(I'm a nerd, I know)

Voila!

Mmmmmmmmm!

Freezer Jam Recipe (so easy)

• 1 packet No Cook Freezer Jam Pectin (I use the Bernardin brand)
• 1.5 cups Sugar
• 4 cups Crushed fruit (I only crush a teeny bit because the raspberries tend to break up a lot while stirring and I like the texture of a few whole berries in my jam)

1. Measure Sugar into bowl and stir in the packet of Pectin
2. Crush fruit, and add 4 cups to dry mixture.  Stir 3 minutes
3. Ladle into clean jars leaving 1/2 " head space, apply lids and let stand until thickened (about 30 min)
4. Serve immediately, Refrigerate up to 3 weeks, or Freeze for longer storage

*again, these are directions for the brand of Pectin I used, please follow the directions on whichever brand you happen to have.

So that's it!  We now have a nice treat and a gentle reminder of the summer waiting patiently in our freezer.  I love that!

xo
Me