Saturday, April 8, 2017

Da'Best Stove Top Blueberry Jam

It's Beautiful Blue, All Natural and It's Yummy as Heck!




Memere's Stove Top Blueberry Jam recipe ... is of course, Da'Best!!!


My Memere and my Mom made this jam often when I was growing up, and it's still one of my favorites. I always have some ready in the fridge. Now, with all the hoopla about the power-house of antioxidants packed into these little guys ... well, time to try some!

It is very very important to use 'WILD" blueberries - these are the tastiest and sweetest.
If it's off season or you just don't have them growing anywhere close to you, they are available at Walmart .... yes, you read that right! I think almost everyone is fairly close to a Walmart, haha.  Their brand 'Great Value' has a frozen package of "Wild Blueberries", and they are actually delicious!

Ok, so here we go.

Not just the best recipe, it's also the easiest!

Since it's not blueberry season anywhere that I know right now,
I'll share the recipe I use for the frozen "Wild Blueberries". Again - mine come from Walmart.

Geez, I have to tell you ... I was shocked at how delicious these frozen berries are. Where I live we have lots of northern wild blueberries toward the end of July. I have tried pretty much every frozen brand trying to find sweet wild berries, and these are the only ones that taste as great when cooked!

2 pkj of wild blueberries (each bag is 600g)
2 1/4 c of sugar
2 tbls of real lemon juice
1 wooden spoon - let's be natual
1 potato masher

  1. over medium heat add both packages of blueberries to a medium sized pot
  2. use potato masher to mash berries, easy now - don't pulverize them ... just mash those little beauties for about 2 - 3 minutes
  3. add 1 3/4 c of sugar and stir - saving the remaining 1/2 c for later
  4. add lemon juice, stir till blended 
  5. let simmer at a hot simmer (small bubbles, a beginning boil) for 60 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes
  6. add the remaining sugar, let simmer for as before for another 15 min
  7. Ok, done! Now you can let it cool down. After cooled I put the lid on the pot and put it in the refrigerator overnight. Then spoon into small fruit sized mason jars. I don't do the formal canning procedure because they get eaten to fast. However, I do put the date made on the lid.

I usually give one or two away, since people are always waiting for the next batch.  Yup, it's that good. I usually spoon it on some toasted fresh bread or warmed scones. 



Mmmmm, looks just right!


Ok, Ok ... I'm off to make some toast.




IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING ABOUT THE LEMON JUICE 

Why Do You Have to Add Lemon Juice When Making Jam?


Besides the obvious fruit and sugar, most jam recipes also include lemon juice in the list of ingredients. That lemon juice isn't just there for flavor; it actually plays a very important role. Here's why we have to add lemon juice when we make jam.


It's a Matter of pH

When you prepare a big batch of jam, you begin by cutting or mashing the fruit and heating it with some sugar. This releases the pectin that was trapped inside the fruit cells into the jam mixture. Unfortunately, now that the pectin is dissolved and free, the strands of pectin will now repel each other.
The lemon juice will lower the pH of the jam mixture, so it can now assemble the pectin into a network that will "set" your jam.


Yes, you can grow blueberries in containers.

Start early this Spring.

 

Growing Blueberries in Containers

Top Hat Blueberry is a wonderful plant to grow in a container.
 This year I'm trying to grow some of my own ... even though they grow in the wild here. I just love the thought of having them right in my yard.

What? Share? You're kidding right?!


Oh, and remember who else loves these --- BEARS! So maybe don't place the plant near your house entrance or near where your car is parked...just saying!
I'll post and share my results in a later post.
                





                                    
Blueberries are ideal plants for containers because it's easy to control the soil conditions they like best. Start with a pot that's at least 20-24 inches wide or larger.

Planting tips: Choose a potting mix designed for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, or camellias. Look for a pH balance between 4.5 and 5.5.

Soil and fertilizer: Use a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants. Apply in early and late spring to promote growth and fruit production, then stop fertilizing for the year. Feel free to occasionally sprinkle used coffee grounds on the top of the soil around blueberry plants.

Pruning and other care: In early spring, prune any dead wood. Otherwise, blueberries need no other pruning unless you want to shape the plant.

Most blueberry plants need one to two other types of blueberry plants nearby for pollination.

If you live in a year-round warm climate, remember that blueberries need cold temperatures for a certain number of hours to produce fruit. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service to find varieties best suited for your climate.

In general, choose a container variety that is cold-tolerant to one hardiness Zone colder than the one you live in. 'Sunshine Blue' is a good variety for warmer climates; 'Top Hat' is good for cold regions.

Winter care: In regions with harsh winters, move the blueberry pots to an unheated garage, allowing the plants to go dormant but watering just enough to keep them alive. Return the pot to a sunny location after danger of frost passes.
If you choose to leave the pot in place, insulate it with mulch for winter protection.