Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Blackberry Honey

Blackberry Picking






In June, I took the kids blackberry picking at a local blackberry farm.  It was fun but hot in the afternoon sun.  The problem with picking blackberries is that not everyone likes the seeds.  We usually pick blueberries too and all the kids like those, eating most of them before we get home.  I love blackberries and so does my oldest, but little children may find the seeds unpleasant.  So, even though there are numerous recipes that use up those yummy blackberries like pies and cobblers, consider this recipe for blackberry honey. 


Remember, patience is a virtue...in the bucket not in your mouth!


You actually cook the blackberries with the honey and strain them through a sieve.  The kids will love this concoction spread on toast for breakfast.  It is also delicious over pancakes or waffles. This recipe makes enough to fill one 2 cup wide-mouth Ball jar. 

If you want to store the honey long term, you can certainly follow all the steps to canning jams, like sterilizing the jars, lids and seals and sealing the jars in boiling water. I find that a single jar will keep in the refridgerator for several weeks without all the fuss and it doesn't last that long anyway.  Make some yeast biscuits to go with the honey and it might not even last that long.

Blackberry Honey


Blackberry Honey Recipe

2 pints fresh blackberries
2 cups honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon



In large saucepan, combine blackberries and honey. Crush slightly. Let stand 20 minutes to release juices. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook 10-15 minutes or until thick.

For younger kids, strain the contents through a sieve.  Ladle into hot sterilized jars. (I run the jars, lids and seals through the dishwasher on high heat.)   If you want to store in pantry, process according to manufacturer's directions.  If not, honey will keep in refrigerator for several weeks.  Makes 2 cups which will fill 1 wide-mouth Ball jar.

5 comments:

  1. Can you use frozen blueberries instead? I have some honey that has crystallized and I thought about making this if I could use the frozen. Thoughts??
    Jeana

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  2. Jeana,

    I think it would be perfectly fine to use your frozen blackberries and what a great way to use up that honey. I like to freeze berries in the summer when they are at their peak and then use them later in pies and muffins. Let me know how it turns out!

    Robin Walls

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  3. Robin,

    It worked fine using the frozen ones. It just took longer to cook down. When it was finished, I used it as syrup on my pancakes while it was still warm! Excellent use of my berries and honey.

    Jeana

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  4. Great job on a great blog! That truly was/is the greatest generation. Can't wait to try the grits and shrimp. Two of my favorites. Please keep up the wonderful work.

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  5. I just found the site and I love it! We're blessed to have an abundance of berries this year, and I can't wait to try my hand at blackberry honey with our wonderful local Blue Ridge Mountains honey. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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