Ah, wanting to buy everything at the market, afraid that it might be gone the following week. And because it’s so fragrant. Then there’s the reality of having time and space to preserve and save for winter. Lovely post, Elizabeth. 💕
Another wonderful, poetic & observant piece, Elizabeth. I really feel the struggle of not buying every beautiful fruit in sight during summer. There is much beauty and delight in preserving, not that I've done much myself (yet).. when I make jam, I usually make a small batch and eat it haha. Last year, I had the pleasure of staying at someone's house who was a serious jam maker. OMG it was heaven. Their "secret" was just using the most in-season fruit. One day, when I am not in a tiny kitchen, I shall have a go at preserving and likely give a lot of it away, too. :)
I missed the strawberry picking season where I usually go this year when I was in Italy. But I do make jam and I have some berries in the freezer. Looking forward to trying jam with the addition of balsamic!
Yes, this time of year is so difficult to have impulse control. I commend you for having inner boundaries and support from likeminded shoppers that struggle with the same dilemma of ‘to buy, or not to buy-‘.
Thank you also for sharing incredible recipes that carries through and through. Your future self(in winter next year) would thank you for making multiple uses out of your abundant purchase now.
Ha! I am inspired by you and Shell on the video front!
The balsamic flavour is not really detectable…perhaps something I need to play with. I’m thinking that a small amount of lemon juice might be in order.
As always a delight to read, Elizabeth, I yearn for your use of words! My dilemma is similar in that I am dealing with the glut from my garden and I definitely agree that I often thank my former self for making the effort to preserve - it's a precious resource (food) balanced against that other one (time).
Beautifully written as always Elizabeth! Your thoughtful and gentle posts always make me feel hopeful. And I definitely understand the overbuying produce dilemma!
I really love your hulling video too, so useful! This sounds like a fabulous jam, and I like that it is a little lighter on the sugar.
I absolutely love strawberry jam, but I’ve never made it myself. My grandmother was always the expert, and unfortunately she never wrote down any of her recipes—she simply cooked by instinct. I have a quick technical question: at what stage do you add the balsamic vinegar? I’d love to try this recipe!
Hi Marta! There are simple recipes to get you started if you just want to do a jam that you can keep in the refrigerator or freeze (and not have to do the water bath thing). Here’s one to try:
Ah, wanting to buy everything at the market, afraid that it might be gone the following week. And because it’s so fragrant. Then there’s the reality of having time and space to preserve and save for winter. Lovely post, Elizabeth. 💕
Another wonderful, poetic & observant piece, Elizabeth. I really feel the struggle of not buying every beautiful fruit in sight during summer. There is much beauty and delight in preserving, not that I've done much myself (yet).. when I make jam, I usually make a small batch and eat it haha. Last year, I had the pleasure of staying at someone's house who was a serious jam maker. OMG it was heaven. Their "secret" was just using the most in-season fruit. One day, when I am not in a tiny kitchen, I shall have a go at preserving and likely give a lot of it away, too. :)
What a burst of summer!
You can save the strawberry tops and cores, dry them out completely (so they don't go mouldy) and use them to make a really yummy, really pretty tea.
What a great tip!
Oh I love the addition of balsamic! And I know exactly how you feel about all the beautiful produce right now. I want it all!
I missed the strawberry picking season where I usually go this year when I was in Italy. But I do make jam and I have some berries in the freezer. Looking forward to trying jam with the addition of balsamic!
I loved this post - I am going to use this recipes for some of the gorgeous strawberries I have buying at the road side stands. Thank you.
I love this post Elizabeth, it all leaps off the page with particular lines amusing and delighting.
The veggies brushing soil off their shoulders as they come in from the cold.
The care we place in our future selves by laying something down for them.
The way Richard is suddenly keen on jam at European breakfast buffets. That’s a lol moment for me.
We have strawberries abundant here soon, I’ll make your balsamic jam, it sounds delicious Elizabeth.
I would like that! 🥰
I’ll report back with pictures, I just know it’s going to be better than David’s.🤣
Yes, this time of year is so difficult to have impulse control. I commend you for having inner boundaries and support from likeminded shoppers that struggle with the same dilemma of ‘to buy, or not to buy-‘.
Thank you also for sharing incredible recipes that carries through and through. Your future self(in winter next year) would thank you for making multiple uses out of your abundant purchase now.
Strawberry balsamic jam sounds lovely. And that’s such a great video.
Ha! I am inspired by you and Shell on the video front!
The balsamic flavour is not really detectable…perhaps something I need to play with. I’m thinking that a small amount of lemon juice might be in order.
I absolutely love this! I currently have string beans and beets taking up every corner or my fridge and need to find time to get them preserved!
Let me know how you go! Other than my bread and butter pickles, I’ve shied away from veggies. Rnjoy your abundance 💕
Beautiful🌸😊
As always a delight to read, Elizabeth, I yearn for your use of words! My dilemma is similar in that I am dealing with the glut from my garden and I definitely agree that I often thank my former self for making the effort to preserve - it's a precious resource (food) balanced against that other one (time).
Thank you Marjan, for your lovely comments. You must have a grateful circle of friends! 💕
Very interesting.
Beautifully written as always Elizabeth! Your thoughtful and gentle posts always make me feel hopeful. And I definitely understand the overbuying produce dilemma!
I really love your hulling video too, so useful! This sounds like a fabulous jam, and I like that it is a little lighter on the sugar.
Thanks dear Shell! It seems to be a universal feeling 😊.
Your videos always inspire me, so I thought I’d try my hand at it!
Aw thank you! Well, you did a super job! So helpful!
I absolutely love strawberry jam, but I’ve never made it myself. My grandmother was always the expert, and unfortunately she never wrote down any of her recipes—she simply cooked by instinct. I have a quick technical question: at what stage do you add the balsamic vinegar? I’d love to try this recipe!
Hi Marta! There are simple recipes to get you started if you just want to do a jam that you can keep in the refrigerator or freeze (and not have to do the water bath thing). Here’s one to try:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2022/03/18/strawberry-refrigerator-jam
The vinegar gets stirred in at the end, and if you do the quick version you could add it in to that one!
Thank you, I’ll try for sure.
Nice post! And the conflict between the urge to honour fruit by preserving it and anxiety about taking on too much and wasting it is very real.
Thank you Naomi! We are tempted by the same wonderful array of produce at Wychwood 😊