We had a busy morning today. We headed down to Eastern Market with my aunt and uncle to stock up on some fresh fruits and vegetables...
But, wait a minute, that's not fruit! Well, my aunt introduced us to this place called Rocky's that is stocked with all different kinds of candy and bulk foods. I scored a bag of these crunchy gummy worms. Sour gummy worms are probably my most favorite candy, so I was glad to find this candy with a twist.
After, we had tamales in Mexican town, went grocery shopping at the Honey Bee, a great Mexican grocery store, and ended up at Slow's Barbecue for some smoked applewood chicken sandwiches with spicy mustard (yummy!).
We bought tons of strawberries so that I could make strawberry freezer jam...
While I was "slaving" away in the kitchen making jam, I spotted my three roommates enjoying an afternoon nap (not fair!).
...we bought four times as many strawberries as we needed, so I ended up making two batches of jam (12 jars) and then freezing the rest for cereal toppings and smoothie ingredients. Freezer jam doesn't involve any sterilization or boiling or checking jar seals. All you have to do is mix crushed fruit, sugar and pectin together and pour into jars. After letting the jars sit for 24 hours, you move the jars to the fridge and use as needed. The jars of jam are supposed to last for up to a year. Hopefully, this jam will taste delicious!
You've been busy! Beautiful picture of the light glistening through the jars of jam!
Posted by: Clever Karen | 28 June 2008 at 08:21 PM
Wow great idea and looks delicious.
Posted by: Pecos Blue | 28 June 2008 at 10:22 PM
The jam looks great. For years, I have been wanting to learn how to can foods. The botulism thing is scary! I decided that I am not going to take up canning until we move to a real house someday. A little NY condo has no room for this hobby.
Posted by: Oiyi | 28 June 2008 at 10:24 PM
I have also had the summer adventure of canning strawberry jam. I went picking two weeks ago, while daydreaming I ended up picking 25 pounds of berries in two hours. Needless to say I have more jam that I will probably eat in a year. Canning is not so scary, I learned from a friend a few years back. After a few canning opportunities with my her I feel confident that I am not going to kill anyone with my yummy jam.
Posted by: carrie | 28 June 2008 at 10:59 PM
Yum - it all sounds delicious (we have NO good Mexican restaurants here!). Those gummy worms are making my mouth water :-)
And the jam looks delicious!
Posted by: Amber | 28 June 2008 at 11:10 PM
Hi! Chris' gf here (from Strive? ha, long intro). Quick tip that I heard from my sister about 20 minutes ago- at 3pm everything goes on sale at Eastern market like woah. Beth (the sister) bought TONS of food for $13, because the vendors need to get rid of everything! How sweet is that?!
Oh- and please let John know that I can get him a 60 gallon plastic drum if he wants to make his own rain barrel- free! Best thing ever! :)
Posted by: Steph | 29 June 2008 at 11:34 AM
those candies look delicious and so summery with those bright colors! that jam looks delicious and i would have bought all those strawberries too!
Posted by: priscilla | 29 June 2008 at 05:20 PM
The jam looks great. That's on my to do list too along with making pickles as soon as the cucumbers are ready. Such a great picture of the gummies!
Posted by: Jacquie | 29 June 2008 at 06:47 PM
Shazam! I know that is probably incorrect usage of that word, but that is what came to mind when I saw the GIANT candy! Wow, it sounds like you had a really wonderful morning. I can almost taste that jam; it's so beautiful. I have all of my grandmother's canning supplies. Yet one more thing on my "must do eventually" list. :~)
Posted by: gardenymph | 29 June 2008 at 11:12 PM
gummy worms and strawberries and strawberry jam!!! I picked strawberries this past weekend, but I didn't get around to making the jam-hopefully I will be able to make raspberry jam in a couple weeks!
Posted by: jessica | 30 June 2008 at 12:25 PM
You have been busy! Those gummy worms look delish! I've never seen those kind but I do love the sour gummy worms. YOur strawberry jam looks amazing. I love the picture of your roomies... sleeping! Too funny.
Posted by: Cami | 30 June 2008 at 02:53 PM
Go over to Alicia's blog "posie gets cozy," she also made freezer jam, while her husband and cute little dog were on the couch!!Too funny :)
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | 30 June 2008 at 04:28 PM
Hilarious -- I LOVE those cats on the sofa arms like the lions at the Art Institute, gaurding their treasure. And yes, while the lazeabouts slumber, we are slaving away in the kitch. . . sigh. I actually said to my husband after the jammaking, "Aren't you totally psyched that you are married to someone who knows how to make jam for you?" He said, ". . . Yeah."
Only corgi-love impresses him, I guess.
Posted by: Alicia P. | 30 June 2008 at 06:40 PM
I love strawberry freezer jam and sour gummies, too. :)
Posted by: amandajean | 02 July 2008 at 03:16 PM
Stawberry freezer jam is the best! It taste soooo much better than the kind where you cook the berries. (And I can appreciate the photo of your "roommates" taking a nap while you work. I can't tell you how many times I've walked in on a similar scene with my husband and two cats!)
Posted by: Elizabeth | 14 July 2008 at 06:18 PM