So last night we got busy turning our thirty pounds of strawberries into jam so Hunter and Noah could share some with their teachers on the last day of school. The kids took turns doing different jobs and it wasn't long before we were enjoying the fruit of our labor. And let me tell you, there's nothing better than homemade strawberry jam from strawberries you've picked fresh from the berry patch.
Hull Master
Did you know you can hull a strawberry with a drinking straw? It's actually very simple and quite addicting.
Puree Master
My kids hate jam with chunks, even though jam isn't technically jam without the chunks. So we puree them in the blender. I actually prefer it this way too.
Taster Master and Sugar Master
We buy the low sugar pectin at the grocery store so our jam only requires four cups of sugar instead of seven. I think it tastes much better that way.
Dish Master
Caleb didn't help much with the jam making process but he did do a great job entertaining himself and soaking the dishes for me. I didn't get around to washing the pots and pans for three days so I'm glad he chose the profession he did that night and so are my scrubbing muscles.
The Jam
We've already given away several jars and will give away even more on Sunday. But don't worry. We have three more batches to make and that will surely last us at least a month or two. Yum-o!
Looks delicious and so fun! When you started "jammin'" was it hard to let your kids help, or difficult to get them to help? I do jam every year, but I've been doing it practically in the middle of the night to avoid help from little hands.
What a cute production line! I'll have to try that drinking straw thing.
Sidenote to B: I have a similar dilemma. I think its a hard balance to strike. You may not want them to help when they are young and eager. But if you don't let them help early, you won't be able to get them to help when they are older (and potentially actually helpful).
