Monday, June 21, 2010

Blueberries

Yes,it is that wonderful time of year again ....blueberry season! I went last Friday,by myself because The Boy was away at church camp, in the blazing heat and humidity to a nice farm in the next community down the road. Ahhh....what a mother won't do for her child! You see,the only reason we have to have blueberries is because The Boy requires homemade blueberry syrup! To expect him to eat a waffle without the coveted blueberry syrup is...is...a travesty! How dareth I even cook him delicious, slow rise , sourdough waffles if there is no blueberry syrup!!!!! Sigh....I guess if you don't have an only child you don't realize how spoiled they can get,lol!

So I drag myself out of bed an hour early so I can leave in the early morning hours...I am doing all the morning chores because, remember, The Boy is at camp. I want to get there early before the day reaches the point where I may spontaneously combust  in the heat! Actually, I think the only thing that stops this phenomenon is the fact that the air is 98% water! So by 10:30 I can't take it any more and go to weigh in...12lbs! That's a lot of berries! Good,I can make a double batch of syrup and freeze some for smoothies and baking. I made a double batch of jam last year so we don't need any more this year.

I take out the berries for syrup and put the rest on baking sheets and freeze them.I like to freeze everything possible this way,I hate a big frozen lump of fruit! As my payment I picked out all the biggest ,fattest ,tastiest berries and ate them on the spot! Hey,I am the one who put in all the work here!



Then I put them in jars and stick them in the freezer.Yes,I freeze in jars because I don't like plastic in,on,around or near my food if I can help it! You may think I am crazy,that's OK there is a club if you want to join.....Anyway, here they are frozen little blue marbles of goodness...I got a dozen jars!


And here is The Boy's syrup,that I actually had to do twice because I had one of "those" moments and didn't boil it long enough the first time and had  a nice,sweet blueberry juice instead of syrup!


Now his Royal,Spoiled Rotten, Pickieness can once again feast on waffles! Really, I am just teasing about The Boy,well...not about the syrup thing that is true,but he is a super good kid and I gladly make him his blueberry syrup! Seriously, what fun are kids if you can't tease and aggravate them!

21 comments:

Tales from the Trails said...

Yum!! Blueberries. We need to pick some for perserves. I think we might have this canning/pickling thing down!!

Love your new blog design. Super cute!

Chicken Boys said...

I like blueberry things....cakes, pies, syrup, etc. But I don't care much for just plain old blueberries.
~Randy

Sharon said...

Ho! Melodie, you do take a punishment for those blueberries don't you? I am the only one that eats them, here, but I am putting up the good fight to get my own bushes going. Maybe a couple of years after I pass, they will be fruitful! It sure is hot and muggy! I have blackberries that need picking, but just too snaky, the neighbor didn't bush hog the section between the pond and the mutual fence - where the blackberries are.
Frozen blueberries do make a nice cold treat, don't they? MMMmmm!

Tina said...

I love blueberries. yummy and so good for you too.

brokenteepee said...

I froze some things in jars and the jars shattered...it was not pretty.

Just a warning.

My hubby loves blueberries. I don't care for them.

I freeze my cherries that way. I can't stand the big lump 'fruit either.

the wild magnolia said...

Blueberry Delight Syrup! Yummers!

Freezing them in jars! Excellent idea for when I buy berries and cannot eat them all! :) Happy, happy!

Good Mom, good job!

Melodie said...

Pricilla,

I freeze in caning jars all the time...once in a while I get a break but not often, every couple years. They even advertise on the pints now that they are freezable!

Teresa said...

I totally agree on only children (as the mother of a single son). They are spoiled and totally fun to pick on and totally worth it. I'm sure he appreciates all the work for the blueberry jam.

Foothills Poultry said...

HMMMM...Blueberries. Our plants won't be producing for another month or so. Should be gallons and gallons of berries here this year.

~~Matt~~

LindaG said...

What a great idea to freeze in jars! I imagine after you let them come to room temperature, it makes it simpler to make the syrup? (I'm a beginner at this, sorry.)
I admit I do freeze in bags, but I think I may just try jars. :)

Nice to meet you. Found you through Matt and Randy. Hope you don't mind if I stay around. :)

LindaG said...

Oh gosh yes! The heat has been bad here in North Carolina, too.
Have a wonderful day!

sunset pines farm said...

you and me, sistah!
My family loves THE IDEA of putting fruits and veggies up. I just happen to be their "make it happen" girl.
Typed with my blue fingers,
Polly

John Going Gently said...

do u freeze them whole? without juice????

Texan said...

yummmmmmy!! I LOVE blueberries, can only eat them on rotation but that sure beats not at all!

Melodie said...

John,
Yes, they are whole and with out juice,it really works out great!

SWiggins said...

Yummy!

Jim said...

Lucky boy! And blueberries are so good for you. Our season is not till late August. We buy as many boxes that will fit in our and my Dad's freezers. What a good way to freeze....in bottles....a good serving size for two! Thanks.

Neville Henry Fotheringham said...

Mmmmm... sounds delicious. We sure do grow a LOT of blueberries in the state of Maine... maybe Frizzy haired lady should make some syrup. I bet it would be tasty on my grain!

frugalmom said...

Now I just read about blueberries on Pollys Path. Both you guys are gonna be so happy having blueberries in the winter when its cold and yuck outside....Im envious.
However, I think my fingers are achingly sore because I have been pitting so many cherries....
Do you have any trouble with your jars braking in the freezer like that? Do you put liquid in them and freeze it as well?

Melodie said...

Frugalmom,

I would love to have some cherries too!No I don't have trouble with the jars breaking,I always use canning jars pints and smaller and I have frozen butter and tomato sauce in them,but I would not be afraid to try more liquidy things,I just haven't needed to yet!

goatgirl said...

I know all about the things we mothers will do for our boys. I still make raspberry jam because it's his favorite...even though he lives far a way from me.
I love blueberries! Just bought three bushes.