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TAS Diary Archives

July 9, 2008

Raspberries

I've said here before that if I could only grow one fruit, it would be raspberries - and now it's raspberry picking time, I haven't changed my mind.

I was on picking duty yesterday evening - it's really Dan's job but he was away on business- the sun was shining, the raspberries were plump and tasty, the ones damaged by birds were being shared with the hens, who were chooking about my feet, and all was right with the world.

Once I'd finished, I made a few pounds of raspberry jam. Now, my record with raspberry jam is not one to be proud of. Last year, I think I over boiled it (because I was too impatient to let it cool enough to check the set properly) so the jam is like toffee - tasty, but a real jaw breaker. This time, I stuck to the recipe and waited for a bit longer to check the set and it was OK first time. The result - jam-textured jam!! It will still give you dental caries, but it will leave existing filling in your mouth!

I've set aside a jar for The Show in September, unless I make a better batch another day.

Blackcurrant tomorrow!

Posted by Rosemary at July 9, 2008 9:22 PM

 

Comments

Scottish raspberries...yum! They're not the same down here in the South. Makes me quite nostalgic for going up Clydeside with my Mum back in the day, to pick rasps for jam and a fabulous raspberry syrup which she made and which kept all winter and brought the taste of summer to puddings throughout the year. if i can find it I'll send it to you.
Dilys

Posted by: Dilys Thomas at July 11, 2008 8:10 AM

PS the recipe, not the syrup!

Posted by: Dilys Thomas at July 11, 2008 8:11 AM

Though I'd been led to believe I couldn't grow raspberries in Oklahoma (the belief backed up by the ridiculous prices!) once I got a patch of red ones started, they've run rampant. I spent a couple of days ruthlessly digging out extra plants. I've found I like freezer jam better than cooked jam, plus I freeze lots for pies (like I need those calories). A friend gave me some black raspberry plants a couple of years ago, and now they're going crazy too. I want to add yellow ones next. Which kind do you have?

Posted by: Katherine at July 18, 2008 11:54 PM