When we first moved here I noticed a sign on the edge of the road heading into town advertising an orchard. It was March, it was still snowing sporadically, was very cold, and gloomy but I knew that someday soon I would become acquainted with that orchard and we would be best friends. I was right. I immediately googled it and signed up for their newsletter and then waited impatiently for news of fresh fruit. This weekend we finally got to go pick some berries and cherries and I was in love. It's such a magical place. The owner's children picked raspberries with us and regaled us with their stories of kindergarten and Disneyland (they're 4 & 6). The bees buzzed happily around and we were able to see thousands of trees slowly growing and nurturing their fruits. I can't wait to return later in the season for nectarines, peaches, plums and apples!
It seems like some people ate more than they picked.
It was really warm outside but when your arm, head and shoulders are in a cherry tree it doesn't seem quite so hot.
In addition to the u-pick fruit, Kelley Orchards also makes the most incredible dried fruit. It's all natural with no sugar added and it is seriously delicious and surprisingly sweet. Luckily for everyone that doesn't live in the middle of nowhere, Idaho, it's available for purchase through their website.
We got away with 2.5 lbs. of raspberries, including a handful of black raspberries, and 3 lbs. of pie cherries for around $8. We should've picked a few more raspberries but it's difficult to gauge how much you already have when it's sitting in a cardboard box. 5.5 lbs. of fruit may not sound like much but I was able to make a small batch of both cherry preserves and raspberry jam and still make a cherry berry pie, and this is after we nibbled on them throughout the day!
I've decided that making small batches of jam is a great idea, rather than large batches. We eat jam but we don't inhale it and who wants to have a ton of extra pints in the cellar that they aren't going to be able to eat through by the time canning season rolls around next year? So I put up 2.5 pints of cherry preserves and 2 pints of raspberry jam. I love how pretty they look!
What is your favorite flavor of jam?
Ahhhh! This is AWESOME! I've never ever been fresh fruit picking, but I'd love to go sometime. I love the haul you got, yowsa! I really love making fruit smoothies, so I can imagine if I picked most of those, that's where they'd go. I also want to learn more about the process of drying fruit, as that is such a healthy yet like you said, sweet snack!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had jam in for.ever. but I'd say apricot or grape! I also really, really, really love apple butter.
Beautiful jam! I am in total agreement that small batches of jam are just right. Apricot is my favorite! Thanks so much for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI rarely eat jam but when I do it tends to be bog standard strawberry. I love fresh berry fruits though and when they are in season I eat them by the bucket. Being able to eat them straight from the tree is something many people don't experience and you are very lucky to have access to this orchard. It sounds incredible.
ReplyDeleteYou're amazing Jordan! I am glad you are enjoying it there so much!Send us some Jam!!!! :)
ReplyDeletethat sounds so awesome! i would love to go berry picking! and raspberry jam is my favorite!
ReplyDeletexo,
cb
i wish i knew how to can. i should of paid attention when my grandma wanted to teach me. bleh!
ReplyDeletexxO
yum yum yum. My favorite jam is seeded raspberry. We have a black raspberry patch that has consumed a corner of our yard, which I love! I'm in anticipation here for the nearing of peach season, which is my favorite pick your own.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful! I like strawberry, boysenberry and peach jams the best, myself. I remember my grandma made boysenberry jam for me once from boysenberries I picked at their house. Sadly, I don't think that bush produces any longer. =(
ReplyDeleteHow fun! There really is nothing like fresh fruit and home made jam. So good. Perfect summer treats!
ReplyDeletelooks like fun was had by all! i made strawberry jam again this year and we head to the farm in august for raspberries!
ReplyDeleteoh that is so fun!! i want to do that some day!!! i love strawberry jam. and peach!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy fav has to be strawberry jam :)