Canning Berries: Memories of Mom

As I canned cherries and gooseberries this summer, I thought of my mother. She had stimulated my interest in canning. We had made and canned thimbleberry jam together. It was a family project to pick and clean the wild berries. Gooseberries have stems and “pig tales” (the remainder of the flower). They also have a… Continue reading Canning Berries: Memories of Mom

Traditions and Heritage

My mother picked strawberries and wild blueberries with her mother, and so did I. My Finnish heritage has given me a an appreciation for berries, wild and cultivated.  Berries are abundant in Finland (37 types of edible wild berries) and an important addition to the diet. Enjoyment of berries is a family tradition. According to… Continue reading Traditions and Heritage

Pretty Green Globes: Gooseberries for Jam and Pie

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… Continue reading Pretty Green Globes: Gooseberries for Jam and Pie