Beach Baby, Beach Baby

IMG_2425.JPG

Gotta Keep those lovin' Good Vibrations A Happenin'


I-I love the colorful skins she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her fruit
I hear the sound of a gentle wind
On the wind that lifts her scents through the air

with apologies to Mike Love And Brian Wilson

Usually, this happens MUCH earlier in the year... typically, late September or first week of October. But, as is often the case in COVID TIMES, Aint nothin' normal!

Mid August is when I can tell, what kind of year it will be. There was a TON of rains in July, so, that bodes well.. and suddenly, by mid-august, there was plenty of fruit on the bushes. Now, it just took time, sunlight, and patience.

Sadly, too much patience on my part, and someone had grabbed much of the fruit on my go to Beach Plum Plants. But that's OK... there's an old railroad bed, that actually is a dirt fire road, into the scrub pine. Along both sides are a lot of Beach Plum Plants. Beach Plums LOVE the sandy, well draining soil, near the salty oceans of New England.

Easy enough, I picked a few large plastic bags of the fruit. Many really ripe, some perfect ripe and some, green... the few green are as important as the perfectly ripe ones, too.

IMG_2415.JPG

IMG_2416.JPG

As I mentioned, complicated year, so I ended up freezing the fruit in their two bags, for an extra month or two. Once I thawed out the Beach Plums, above, it was time to start SMASHING!

IMG_2418.JPG

IMG_2417.JPG

The large stand, and metal strainer, along with a large wooden Pestle is perfect for reducing the fruit, with it's stone pit inside, into a pulp and juice for making some jelly.

IMG_2420.JPG

Juice collected on the left, below, and the pulp, and pits, on the right.

IMG_2423.JPG

I added some juice from one large lemon, some lemon zest, a few cups of sugar (Half what I used last year), and some Sure•Jell Pectin, and Boil it.

Meanwhile, boil some Jelly Jars, and the lids and Lid rings to sterilize.

IMG_2414.JPG

Pour the hot liquid fruit into the jars, cap with a ring, and lid. I add a date to the lids, so I can know how long I can keep the jelly stored, safely.

IMG_2424.JPG

In case you are curious, one of the jars is leftover from when my mom made jellies. (Probably more than one) I tend to buy at least a couple if not more dozen jars a year, as I give some away. But, this jar, below, had a label from mom, when she made Beach Plum Preserves.

IMG_2426.JPG

Mom taught me jelly making, and Crab Apple (two trees growing next to our house.) Marmalade and Beach Plum Jelly were the first two I made with her.!


Bluefin Studios


Get your OWN BADGES, at HIVE BUZZ


Bluefin Studios is a photographer, specializing in wildlife, nature, landscapes, waterfalls and Lighthouses!

Always, I strive to give back

To the animals and birds around me

to put more plants in than I take out

And be a good steward for the world around me!

All Photos by Bluefin Studios unless specified.




community.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-05 at 11.53.54 PM.pngsupportbuzz.pnghivefest-6.png

posts.png5500 comments.png4000HP.png
postallweek.pngchristmas2018.pngXmas2021.pngpostallmonth.png
8000.png100000.png135000 upvote.png
birthday1.pngbirthday2.pngbirthday3.png4th birthday.png






0
0
0.000
6 comments
avatar

pixresteemer_incognito_angel_mini.png
Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 86 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
!BEER
1

0
0
0.000
avatar

I love these rituals that you have Greg. I hope that your girls learn from you, as you learned from your mom. And that jar with your mom's handwriting is so special. Handwriting is so very treasured to me. It's like a fingerprint - but even more. Their hands held a pen and scrolled in a particula pattern according to their style. And even probably their palm pressed against the paper (or in that case - the label. So in a very real way, part of her is there with you. I love that. love it

Enjoy those yummy beach plums heheheh

0
0
0.000
avatar

Simple & yummy mouthwatering recipe...👌 👏👏👏 😊 👍. Could I make the same recipe with cherries or strawberries too?

0
0
0.000
avatar

I've made similar jelly with Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries... so, it should not be a problem. Basically, 1 cup fruit to 1 cup sugar.

0
0
0.000