Red Raspberries
In another day, we will be haying again. The cut and crimped hay is lying in the field under the warming sun and should be ready for baling tomorrow.
Mashed, Sugared, Red Raspberries Mixed with Pectin
While I wait for my part in the haying, I have other concerns in the garden, yard or house that need attention. Just yesterday evening I spent time picking golden and red raspberries. Since the golden patch is in its infancy, there is not much to pick and the job goes quickly. I save them unwashed in the refrigerator. That way we can enjoy them with the “in the patch” flavor.
The red raspberry patch, now, that is another matter. I have a large patch and it takes a longer time to pick them. Being late in the season, there are a bunch of raspberry bugs trying to get fat on my berries. I did my best to pick clean, bugless berries, but when I started to clean them in the kitchen there were still dozens crawling around in them. It took patience for me to rid my bucket of berries of bugs.
I discarded the bugs and chopped the berries in my blender and added the sugar. I let the mixture rest for 10 minutes and then added the pectin. (I like to use Sure Gel.) I stirred it for 3 minutes and poured the sparkling, sweet mixture into glass jars. I use a freezer recipe so I don’t have to use mason jars.
This jam looks good and it is!
photo credit: kudaphoto via photo pin cc
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
I am doing that very thing today. ..picking numerous bugs off the berries I just picked. These are growing next to the ruins of the old barn by our house that mother in law planted years ago when it was a cow barn here in northern Wisconsin. So that is how I found this blog..by doing a search on raspberry bugs! Sure enjoy reading some of it so far! Where are you located..I mean what state? Do you know what those bugs are called?
I was born and raised in northern Wisconsin by Lake Superior! It is so beautiful up there. I married into a farm family in Minnesota.
The only name we have ever called those bugs in the raspberries is raspberry bug. If you should find out the real name I would be interested in knowing it.
Now that the raspberries are almost overrun with the berry bugs, I figure that it is time to quit and wait for the next harvest. Your crop may be good for a while yet. Being farther north than we are, the berries ripen later than it does here.
Our red berries bear twice in the summer. I expect to get another crop in September. I think some types of red raspberries bear only once/year. Do yours bear twice?
Enjoy the Lord’s provision in your berry patch.