Berries have always been valued in my family as a special treat. When I was a kid it was mainly strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. There are so many more. I am developing an appreciation for gooseberries, elderberries and currants.
The latter three grow well in my backyard. Gooseberries, elderberries and currants don’t seem to mind our clay soil—although I have worked at enriching it with peat and in the fall add a layer of dried grass or shredded leaves. These berry bushes don’t need much care, just need to be picked.
The gooseberries are ripening. My two-year-old grandson was fascinated with the little green globe. He held one in his hand turning it around and gazing at the stripes with wonder. So much to wonder at in nature. God has created so much for us to enjoy!
Have you ever tasted a gooseberry? My grandson took a tentative little bite. It is rather sour but good for jam and pie.
Two cookbooks are helpful in providing directions for gooseberry jam: Cooking with Wild Berries and Fruits by Teresa Marrone and Stocking Up from Rodale Press. According to Teresa Marrone’s book, green gooseberries (not quite ripe) contain enough pectin to make a simple jam without added pectin.
The first step is to cook the gooseberries with a little water (2 or 3 Tablespoons of water per cup of berries). Bring the berries to a boil and then simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Mash the berries with a potato masher. Next add the sugar (or honey) gradually—approximately ½ cup to ¾ cup per cup of berries. I tend to taste the mixture several times as I continue to add the sweetener. A combination of sugar & honey works also. I like a tart jam. When the sugar is well mixed in, bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. When I am using honey as a sweetener I add additional pectin–homemade pectin–in the last minute of cooking. (BTW – If you add a pat of butter to the boiling fruit, it won’t spit at you.)
The final step is to ladle into sterile jars and process in a hot water bath. I process half-pint jars for 10 minutes. Gooseberry jam has an interesting color and rich flavor.
Gooseberries are good in pie also. I freeze some of the gooseberries for apple/gooseberry pies.
Marrone, Teresa, Cooking with Wild Berries and Fruits, Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications, Inc. 2009 p. 70
Stoner, Carol, editor, Stocking Up, Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.
Linking with Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm, Tuesdays with a Twist, Happy, Healthy, Green & Natural, Mom to Mom Mondays, Sue’s Wordless Wednesday, the Art of Homemaking and Seasons
I grew up with wild berries and other fruit in our yard. We made wonderful jams and preserves from them so I am delighted that you shared the joys of using healthy and delicious Gooseberries for Jam and Pie with us at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing this!
Deborah, Thank-you!
I didn’t know about these berries. Would love to try them (and having them in pie sounds delicious).
Lovely! I had to plant a couple of gooseberry bushes because my daughter loves the jam… (for waffles). I use brown sugar.
We used to have the large green sort in my childhood. A neighbour had lots of bushes with small, tasty red ones, and we children could eat as much as we wanted 🙂
yummyyyy! I have never tasted gooseberries. I bet I would love them in jam or pie.
Nostalgic memories of picking them as a teen:) But never tasted them as a jam. Thanks for the recipe, and sharing this with SEASONS – much valued:)
Also, I had no idea you were a grand mother! Have a great week, Carol!
I’ve never seen or tasted gooseberries – they look so pretty though!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/06/lovely-san-juan.html
I’ve had currants in one form or another, but never gooseberries or elderberries. It’s such an interesting fruit, I ever would have known what it was. They’re kind of pretty with the sun shining on them like that.
Oh … pretty, pretty! I’ve heard of gooseberries but never have seen them here in the northeast. But any kind of berry is a friend of mine … especially in pies or jams.
Fun post, Carol!
;-}
Hello, I am not familiar with these berries. Right now we are seeing the raspberries growing wild. Our blueberries are not ripe yet and the strawberries are always finished. I do love various types of berries as long as they are sweet. Great post and photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
we grow cape goose berries… they are rather tart but my girls love eating them… the wonder in a child’s eyes is a beautiful thing!