Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Raspberry...blueberry...jam making








I know I am not going to be able to grow enough berries to make jam. It just takes so many. Each week I go to the Sidney market and buy some berries from a couple of different farmers, both located on Oldfield Road in Central Saanich. My neighbor Judy goes to a couple farms for the large amount of fruit she needs for her smoothies that she makes each day. She freezes enough for the year. Saturday my sister Jess and I went to Dan's Farm. I cannot believe that I have never been there before. (Yet something else to thank Judy for) Dan is an organic farmer and sells fruit and veg, as well as baked goods, free range eggs, Organic meat etc. They have goats, chickens and dogs. I can honestly say, Dan's raspberries are probably the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. Yes...in my whole life. I bought a flat and that made two batches of jam and I buzzed berries for two more. So, four batches per flat. I think I'm going to go back this week and get more. Then Jess and I went just up the road a bit and went into the field of blueberries and picked. Again...how could I have lived 15 minutes away and never bought food from these magnificent farmers. Why isn't everyone buying from the farmers? When did it become okay to buy tasteless fruit and vegetables from the supermarket, that has traveled an average of 1600 miles using fossil fuel to get to us. It's no wonder kids eat so much junk food. I couldn't stand fruit and vegetables either until I started growing my own. Then I realized why. Growing up in a family of farmers...(seven generations of them in Canada so far) I was very spoiled by their delicious food. So I am getting back to my food roots, and farmers like Dan are going to play a MUCH larger role in my new food habits. Thank you Dan, for doing what you do!!

Please support your local farmers. You can find Dan's Farm at 2030 Bear Hill Road. It's at the corner of Oldfield Road and Bear Hill.
www.dansfarm.ca

8 comments:

Gardeningbren said...

Oh, I love this post Erin. It is so true, but sometimes it is just where one lives that makes it difficult, also age plays a role, no way to get to the farm, inability to manage the fields underfoot etc. But I digress...your berry wonderful adventure is a great share.

We have a great event that happens in late summer called "Open Farm Day" and this year it is being held September 16th in Nova Scotia. We went last year (blogged about it) and plan to go again this. It is a great opportunity to really see where your food comes from and meet your farmer.

Love and a little red dog said...

Love the photos! Especially the jam jars photo. You put so much love into all you make. Umm yummy .

Mavis said...

Ring Ring Hello... Your raspberry jam is beautiful! :)

Erin said...

I see a jar of jam in your future. :-)

Erin said...

Thank you Mavis.

Erin said...

Hi Brenda. I guess I shouldn't assume that every where there is a farm, they would have a structure/store where they sell their food. Or a local farmers market. It's allowed here thank goodness.

Joan said...

Yum! Lovely Jam. I'm jammin' today too - apricot juice and spiced apricot jam.

Erin said...

Joan that sounds lovely. Spiced apricot. Yummmm. I found a recipe in a book I'm reading for lavender jelly. I'm going to make it on the weekend, I can't resist.