Summer is here and that means it’s finally berry picking time!
Nothing says summer like a sweet and succulent strawberry. Especially if you pick it yourself.
Thursday was a peach of a day to kick off strawberry season at Barrie Hill Farms, and owner Morris Gervais tells thebarrieexaminer.com, his berry crop is ripe for the picking.
“It’s great weather for our first day, and the berries are beautiful. The size of them is amazing,” Gervais said, standing in a portion of his strawberry field. “Strawberry season is part of our food heritage, isn’t it? It’s kind of a summer tradition to pick berries.”
Gervais says that even with the unseasonaly warm temps this spring, crop yeilds are stil very good.
“Overall, customers won’t notice it, but the early yield of strawberries was a little less because of the cold snap back in March,” he said. “But, the later crop is fine. There are loads of berries.”
Strawberry Jam: The Perfect Summer Treat
Strawberry jam is a treat that can be enjoyed all summer long.
To make your own strawberry jam, you will need:
It’s Berry Picking Season In Ontario! Recipes For Strawberry Jam
4cups prepared strawberries (buy about 2 qt. fully ripe strawberries)
7cups sugar, measured into separate bowl
1/2tsp. butter or margarine (optional)
1pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin
Now that you have your ingredients, combine the sugar and strawberries into your favorite pot. Place the mix into the refrigerator and allow to sit overnight. After sitting, mix the pectin and lemon juice into the mix.
Boil on high heat for 20 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the jam to cool and place into caning jars.
