Monday, April 6, 2009

I'M JAMMIN !

This is a picture of the Strawberry Freezer Jam that we had just put in the jars before we put them in the freezer. Use to put jam in jars and set them on the shelve until we needed a jar. But we like the freezer jam so much better ~ that this year I made all freezer jam. It taste like fresh strawberries. I think we got about 21 pints of jam and probably 20 bags of frozen sliced berries. Plus a big bowl to eat. This was Silas' job! Measuring and getting another cooking ready while I cooked one. Then he helped get the jam in the jars and put the lids and rings on for me. He decided the potatoe masher was not getting the job done so he got the blender out. Just had to be careful not to overdo.
This is a hand carrier to pick strawberries in. It held 8 straw pints ~ but eventaully went to plastic pints.
See the white card board box with Louisiana Strawberries on it?
That is what straw -berries are packed in. This also has changed since I was home. Use to be a wooden slat crate with two layers. Things have really changed. I remember a lot about the berries because every year kids would pick strawberries to help out with school clothes. I was raised in the Strawberry Capitol of the World. Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
When I went to school we got out in March and went back in July so the children could help out with the berry season. But that has changed,too. The schools dismisses the same as other schools now. Crop followers pick the berries now.
A lot of new technology changed things. The plants use to be put out, then farmers would rake straw from the pine trees and put on top of the berries, then the berries would be mulch or pulled through the straw. I guess that is where strawberries got their name.
Now, instead of straw, they use black plastic and pulled the berries through the plastic. Guess this cut down on weeds ~ But seems to me
strawberries don't have the taste they use to. Maybe it's the new technology or it could be I just like the good old days.
Nothing like getting through for the day and sitting on the back porch with Grandma eating a big bowl of strawberries with sugar and canned cream. "That" can't be duplicated or changed!

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9 comments:

HOPE said...

I took a second look and laughed when I realized it was STRAWBERRy Jammin! You had me worried! LOL

Can you share the recipe? I'd love to do this.

I'm making red candy apples for the first time...did a trial run Sat and yummy! so I'll be doing a bunch on Thurs. for my ladies luncheon.

Love the photos you have shared..

HOPE

Dori Overman said...

I want some! Mom sent a picture of Mama the other day that you sent her with strawberries...I miss them! And I LOVE Mama's strawberry jam. I'll bet you make it the same way. If I had the time and $ I'd drive down just to buy some berries and make a batch with you myself! Or...you could just load a mess of them up and head my way. I have a kitchen and we could make them here. That's a great idea! You and Uncle S. just take off and come see us! It's your turn after all!

Lois Christensen said...

You can freeze right in the jars?? They don't burst? Amazing. I have only made jam one time in my life and I loved it. I gave it away as gifts, but I'm not too sure people appreciated it. I heard a few complaints that I must really have a lot of time on my hands!! Thanks for sharing your memories. I loved hearing how you use to get out of school early so kids could help with the berry season.

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

Mmmm... that looks so delicious! I blogged about strawberries today, too... with the picture you sent to Mom and Dad, that they forwarded to me!

Shane and Kristy Davis said...

Yummy! Looks good... nothing like the work being done, and lots of good stuff to show for it.

Renee said...

Hello,
Looks great! I love canning!

Thanks for following my blog...I will be coming back often to yours to read more!!! Keep it up! :)

Katie said...

My Mom and I make some kind of jam almost every summer...this last year we made cherry, but the year before we had made strawberry too. We also go and pick the berries so it makes it all the more fun! Thanks for your post, it brought back some great memories. :)

Anonymous said...

hmmmmmmmmm, all it needs is a hot buttered biscuit and a cup of coffee.

love ya,
kat

Deborah said...

My parents used to have a strawberry farm, and we helped out with planting, picking and supervising the pickers. Sometimes we just about froze, getting the plants in the ground early in the spring!
We also put straw around the plants here.
Picking season here is July, and every year we spent about three weeks working on the farm. Our kids helped pick, but because it was a U Pick farm, we also had to show people out to the fields and then take their money when they were finished. We picked in ice cream pails.
It was fun, but it did take a chunk of our summer holiday!