I've got three flats of strawberries -- what are YOU canning this summer?

[grasswire]

I've returned from the farmer's market with three flats of beautiful Oregon strawberries. First, we ate ourselves silly on just sugared berries.

Next, this morning, I made two batches of jam and put them up in little half-pint jars for gifts. A family member is going to the villages of Transylvania next month and will take some along as house gifts.

Next I will make a batch of freezer jam because it's my favorite. I did see a recipe for strawberry-kiwi-ginger jelly and thought that looked kind of interesting, too.

No shortcake this week. But next week we'll get more berries for shortcake.

All my life, on the days my mother made jam or jelly she also made homemade bread. Oh my goodness, the two fragrances together were almost too much for the senses! I'm ashamed that I didn't make bread today. Maybe when the raspberries come in, I'll fulfill the tradition.

[Gormy Cuss]

1. What a lovely gift idea

The farmer's market here has a vendor who sells her homemade shortcakes during strawberry season. Clever gal, that one.

We eat ourselves silly the first time any fruit hits the market-- strawberries, cherries, peaches, etc.

[japple]

2. I've made 4 batches of strawberry jam from the berries

in our (GA) garden. They are not huge like California berries, but are sweet, juicy, and very tender. The jam has been a beautiful color. Since the berries all come in almost at the same time, I put several gallons in the freezer and will make jam when I have more time. We also have raspberries, which I hope will do something this year. Last year the japanese beetles ate them all. I'm looking for some Santa Rosa or Damson plus to make jelly. My mother used to make a spiced plum butter that was to die for and I can't find a recipe in any of her books or notes. Maybe I can find something on the internet.

Zucchini should be coming on in about 8-10 days and I'll crank up the relish making machine. I aways make tons of relish and use a lot, give away a lot.