I had memories of my mother and grandmother producing jar after jar of pretty much anything they could however I had never done more than just eat the finished products.
I decided to take on several culinary challenges a few summers ago - overcoming my fear of yeast was one as well as understanding and enjoying the whole canning and preserving process. I have always bought my jelly and jam at the supermarket because I had no clue how to do it myself. I was hooked from that point on!!
Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits, hands down. 48 hours later, I had blueberry jam, peach preserves, bread and butter pickles, spicy dill pickles, several quarts of tomatoes, an aching back and the most AMAZING feeling of pride and accomplishment. I read for days about water bath vs pressure canning, acidity levels, sterilization and on and on. Finally I got up my nerve and decided I was ready to give it a go.
. I love them in sweet breads and muffins, fruit salads, in yogurt, with cereal and I REALLY love a nice thick and chunky blueberry spread on my toast
