Welcome friends...thanks for coming by. We're seeking beauty in all of creation... in our faith and our families; our art and our music; our crafts and kitchens, and even in our own backyard. We'll share a poem or a recipe, a picture or a memory; maybe a dream of how we wish our life could be. And though we acknowledge that the world can be harsh, we're keeping it pleasant in our little corner; endeavoring to keep the words from the Book of all Books: ...Whatsoever things are lovely; think on these things.

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Photo: Bee and thistle: Taken high in the Cascade Mountains where there is a bee buzzing on every thistle. by Debora Rorvig

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Berry Nice...Sugar Free Jam


If you're anything like me, you love to make jam; but when it comes time to dump a bucket-load of sugar all over your beautiful, already sweet berries, you feel guilty. Like you just drew a mustache on the Mona Lisa. It's just wrong. So this year I searched around and found, what I think is the perfect answer to the problem. Pomona Pectin. Now, I'll admit, I haven't actually tried the stuff yet; but I rushed out and bought the last remaining box at our local health food co-op. I've checked their site and their reviews out pretty carefully. This stuff looks like the real deal! Not like that 'reduced' sugar pectin where you only have to dump half a bucket into the pot. And oh my goodness, their site has the tastiest recipes for jams. I will definitely be making Blueberry-Lavender jam this year! Here's the link; http://www.pomonapectin.com/. And here's the link to the aforementioned jam recipe http://www.pomonapectin.com/recipes/blueberry-lavender-jam/

Speaking of berries...last Saturday my friend Demetree and I headed out to Deborah Lubbe's organic farm to pick some strawberries. Her berries are the sweetest thing this side of heaven.

I learned something about strawberries from Deborah. She has 3 varieties of berries on her property. The orangey-red variety was by far the sweetest. The red-red ones were tangier. And the deep ruby-red ones were juiciest, but less sweet. So you can't judge your berries by color. Deborah's Nooksack Valley farm is nestled in the foothills. It's a down-home, earthy place with roosters wandering about, a Shetland pony pastured nearby, and field-flowers growing amid the grasses. A place to breathe.


Demetree


You're never too young to go berry pickin!

Taste testers

Talkin' organic, berries, and farmin'

Deborah Lubbe is as organic as her berries


 
 
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7 comments:

Bookie said...

Beautiful berries! Sounds like a nice day too...sugar free is certainly the better way. Lets us know how the end product is.

farmlady said...

A beautiful summery post. I love strawberry jam and this pectin sounds very interesting. I will take a look at the link. Thanks
The blueberry-lavender jam sounds wonderful too.

Elephant's Child said...

Gorgeous post. I am not a fan of jam, but berries are a different matter. And fresh picked organic berries are bliss.

Debora said...

Bookie, I certainly will. Can't wait to try it!
Farmlady, I hope you did look at the site. It's really nice!
Elephant's child, I agree, fresh organic berries are just the best. Wondering what kinds of berries you have in your neck of the woods?

Anneliese said...

Let me know how your jam turns out. I have lessened the sugar in my jams, but I know that the sugar also acts as a preservative and jelling agent. I wonder what the ingredients are in the pectin and how long you cook the jam? Beautiful pictures.

Debora said...

I will, Annelise. I think the jelling agent is powdered calcium. It'll be fantastic if it works!

BECKY said...

Mmmmm, I love strawberries!

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