Our farm came with several mulberry trees nestled within the tree belt that acts as a wind block and natural fence between us and our neighbor. I don't know if a former resident planted them or if they were planted there by God but I do know they produce lots of yummy berries for a few weeks each year.
The first summer on our farm, I picked a few berries and made a pie. The last two years, I have let them fall to the ground, staining it purple. The berries were so abundant this year I decided to get over my fear of preserving and try my hand at making jam.
Fortunately, Hastings had a book on sale, You Can Can, which offers a great beginner's guide to canning, making pickles and making jams. As hobbies go, the start up costs are fairly minimal. You can buy most everything you need from Walmart or Orscheln's for under $40. Of course, you will have to buy jars, pectin and sugar on an ongoing basis, but those aren't all that costly.
Since mulberry jam recipes are hard to come by, I followed the blueberry recipe in the You Can Can book, leaving out the spices. My first batch turned out wonderfully and I was hooked. You can't beat the taste and the color of homemade jam aexactly and it is great knowing what went into each batch! It doesn't even take that long to make.
Sincw June, I have made five batches of jam, including one where I had to improvise quite a bit because I could not find exactly the recipe I wanted. While I am hardly an expert, here are a few lessons learned:
* Be careful using Internet recipes unless they are from a trusted & tested source
* Invest in a canner with rack
* People love homemade jam, especially as a gift
* If you have a batch that is too thin, label it as syrup and move on with your life
If you even ever thought about making jam, I encourage you to give it a try. You may just find a new hobby that you love.
Until next time, may you grow in grace and mercy and in favor with God and man.
Jana
