PRESERVE THE HARVEST SERIES AND BLUEBERRY MARMALADE
Preserve the Harvest Series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables, buy them at the Farmer’s Market or your local grocery store, it is good to remember the best time to preserve your bounty is when it is plentiful. Preserving the harvest stocks your pantry shelves and freezer with whole foods that you can feel good about, foods that taste great, and this approach saves you money. A sane approach to sustainability! Next up…Blueberries and Blueberry Marmalade.
LET’S TALK BLUEBERRIES
Growing Blueberries at Home
Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow organically, but proper preparation and patience are necessary to reap the full benefits. To grow properly blueberries require soil that is acidic, proper care for a shallow root system and plenty of water when fruiting. Blueberry plants take about 3 years before they begin to produce any sizeable amount of berries. Once fully mature you can expect about 8 quarts of berries per bush.
Read more about growing and caring for blueberries at About Home: How to Grow Blueberries in the Home Garden.
Purchasing Blueberries
Blueberries ripen somewhere between mid July to mid August making this the best time to purchase blueberries if you are not fortunate enough to grow your own. When purchasing blueberries, look for berries that look fresh, plump and unblemished. A refrigerated display case is the best place to look. After purchasing, blueberries should be refrigerated as well for maximum longevity. When handled properly fresh blueberries should last for 10 – 14 days. Wash berries prior to eating.
Freezing Blueberries
Blueberries may be frozen with great results. To freeze, rinse berries lightly and place on paper towel to soak up extra moisture. Arrange blueberries on a baking sheet in single layer and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, remove berries and place in heavy duty freezer bag or use vacuum sealer. Frozen berries can be stored up to a year.
BLUEBERRY MARMALADE
Blueberries and citrus combine to make this unusual marmalade. I enjoy the extra bit of sweetness the blueberries add, giving a great tasting twist on a perennial favorite. This recipe was developed quite by accident while reading directions for two different recipes and then getting mixed up about which one I was actually making. I decided I couldn’t let all those lovely oranges and blueberries go to waste, so I threw the book out the window and went on a wing and a prayer. I love how this recipe came together. I hope you will too!
The following recipe is processed using a water bath canning process. If you have never canned before or need a refresher the National Center for Home Food Preservation is the gold standard of information. I would encourage you to head over and read their general canning information.
- 4 oranges
- 2 lemons, very thinly sliced
- 4 cups water
- 6 cups blueberries
- 6 cups sugar
- Remove thin outer rind from oranges with vegetable peeler or paring knife and cut into fine strips.
- Place rind, thinly slice lemons, and water in a large non-reactive pan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat and gently boil for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, remove remaining white pith from the oranges, cut in half (being careful to save juice from the oranges) and place all in a food processor.Process until finely chopped.
- Add chopped pulp and blueberries to orange mixture and return to a boil.
- Boil gently for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add sugar and bring to a rapid boil.
- With mixture uncovered, continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to gel.( about 35 minutes depending on moisture content of the berries) *see link below for how to tell when mixture will form a gel.
- Once thickened, remove from heat.
- Ladle into hot jars and process for 15 minutes.
Recipe adapted from The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving: Over 300 Recipes to Use Year-Round
Three Ways to Test the Jellying Point for Jams and Jellies: http://www.portlandpreserve.com/TestingTheJellyPoint.pdf
Blueberry Marmalade shared with: *Thank you Honey: Whatever Wednesday *Crafty Allie: Worthwhile Wednesday’s *Smart Schoolhouse: Whimsy Wednesday * My Paper Craze: Creative Spark *Ducks n’ a Row:Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop *The Crafty Wife: Wednesday Roundup *Homestead Lady: Green Thumb Thursday *Yum Eating: The Yuck Stops Here *O Taste And See: Family Fun Friday *Juggling Real Food And Real Life: Let’s Get Real *The Deliberate Mom: Shine Blog Hop *Culinary Flavors: The Weekend Social *The Pin Junkie: The Pin Junkie *Living Well Spending Less: Thrifty Thursday *The Cookie Puzzle: Party in Your PJ’S * Nancherrow: Friday’s Unfolded *The Diary of A Real Housewife: Foodie Friday’s *In the Kitchen With Jenny: Foodie Friends Friday Love Bakes Good Cakes: Freedom Friday’s *Captain America and His English Rose: The Pretty Pintastic Party *Create with Joy: Friendship Friday *Army wife to Suburban Life: Pin Your Friday Favorite *A Dish of Daily Life: Foodie Friday’s *What’s on The List: Say G’Day *Oh My Heartsie Girl: Weekends are Fun Party * New Mama Diaries: Creative Style LinkUp *2 Crochet Hooks: Snickerdoodle Sunday *Our Rosey Life: Share it Sunday *Our Simple Life: Happiness is Homemade * Create with Joy: Inspire Me Monday * Creative K Kids: Bloggers Brags *It’s a Ginger Snap: Motivate Me Monday * Plucky’s Second Thoughts *Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday *Craving Some Creativity: Turn It Up Tuesday *Cupcakes and Crinoline: Project Inspired *Lou Lou Girls *Mandy’s Recipe Box: Totally Talented Tuesday’s *Crafty Spices: Wordless Wednesday * Creative K Kids: Tasty Tuesdays *Create with Joy: Wordless Wednesday *Our Table For Seven: Share Your Stuff
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
Your pictures look amazing! Yum. Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…Chicken Massaman Curry
Thanks. The flavor combination is so fun. I appreciate you stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks absolutely yummy, I am a big blueberry fan
Mollyxxx
Thanks Molly. I have enjoyed this marmalade this year. One of my new favorites! Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to share.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks and sounds so delicious and your photography is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing it at Project Inspired{d}. Our party will still be Monday nights at 8 p.m. EST but our features will be posted on Saturdays and this is one of them! Thanks so much for making our party a success. Stop by tomorrow and grab a featured button! {pinning}
Hugs, mb
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline recently posted…Back to School Organizing
Thank you for the feature. It is always an honor. I will be sure to stop by and say hello.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks delicious!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Jess recently posted…Join Me at 30 Days of Lists!
Thanks Jess, I appreciate you stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
My husband loves blueberries! I bet he’d be in heaven if I surprised him with some of that blueberry marmalade. Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark!
Kristy GD recently posted…Fabric Tear Away Notepad
The flavor combination is lovely. Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to share. Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Shari
Just what I needed to motivate my self to go picking again. It looks delicious, I bet it tastes like summer!
Alecia @CSNY recently posted…Cackle Hatchery Surprise Box – 6 Weeks Old
This has fast become one of my favorites. I am going to have to get more blueberries because I know it won’t last long in our house. Thanks for stopping in!
Blessings,
Shari
Shari, this looks SO GOOD! I’ll have to try it with my crop of blueberries next year!! Thanks for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope you’ll come back and party with us again!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Sarah R. recently posted…Snickerdoodle Sunday Link Party #41
I will be sure to link up again next week. Love your party.
Blessings,
Shari
This looks delicious! I can’t seem to get enough blueberries this summer:)
Ginnie recently posted…Hello, Friday! Link Roundup
I know what you mean. Blueberries seem to be more plentiful this year with so many wonderful ways to use them. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
Yum and yes, please! Just pinned to the links board and thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming by and sharing.
Blessings,
Shari
Shari,
I too was blown away by this Blueberry Marmalade. I am a big fan and could eat it by the spoonfuls too. I also love your biscuits. They look so yummy! You are really making me hungry.
I am featuring your Blueberry Marmalade on my Facebook this evening.
Blessings, sharing, stumbled, and tweeting. LOVE IT!
Diane
Thank you Diane. Those biscuits were the lightest and fluffiest I have ever made. Paula Deans recipe. Yum!
Blessings,
Shari
Oh Great. I love Blackberries, so this is a must make. Great for my breakfast! I am glad I found this recipe though Wonderful Wednesday Link Up Party!
Thanks Paula. I am having a piece with my coffee this morning. I made enough to freeze so whenever the mood strikes I pull a slice from the freezer. Thanks for stopping in.
Blessings,
Shari
Goooorgeous pictures!! Omgosh– this looking so good! Pinned. Thanks for linking up at Whatever Wednesday this week! =)
Emily recently posted…Free Blogger Opp: $100 Sephora Gift Card
You are sweet. Thank you. Always a pleasure sharing at your party.
Blessings,
Shari
Gorgeous!
Everything is gorgeous. Your photos make me want to jump up and make some blueberry marmalade (which sounds amazing, by the way!!)
Thanks so much for sharing, Shari!
Suzanne
Simply Suzannes at Home recently posted…lemon crinkle cookies
Suzanne you are always such a delight and your words so kind. Thank you for brightening my day today.
Blessings,
Shari
Visiting from the facebook recipe sharing with the best blog recipes. This sounds delicious! My boyfriend’s neighbors have a farm in Vermont and they come home with bushels and bushels of blueberries. I’m definitely going to need to try this recipe with some of them. Thanks for sharing!
Nicole recently posted…Blueberry & Cheese Coffee Cake
Thanks Nicole for taking a moment to come by and say hello! Generally I am not a marmalade fan unless I am using it for basting or cooking. I was blown away by this little creation and could easily eat it by the spoonfuls. Who knew Blueberries and Citrus would make such a tasty combo. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
Blessings,
Shari
Love that this one came about technically by accident, but still came out even better then the original most likely. I have found my best recipes are the ones that I might not follow to a tee in baking and try to switch it up a bit. So, want to try this and thank you for sharing 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…My Challenge..
My kitchen would have not been a nice place to be in when I discovered my goof-up. You are right some of the best recipes come about when we are winging it! Thanks for stopping in.
Blessings,
Shari