Better Berries?

     Years ago I read a quote (altho' I can't remember who the author was - perhaps Josh Billings?) who said about strawberries, " Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless He never did!" I was a long time in coming to this truth, but I do embrace it whole-heartedly now. The berries are in season and to my mind, NOTHING else could be a more rewarding way to start the canning season.
     Strawberries are luscious and sweet and delightful to can with. Of course my favorite thing to start with is strawberry jam. When my kids were little, I made this a big celebration. We would go pick together, then come home and gently wash them. I would cap them - tops go to chickens or compost - and, using a cabbage cutter, they would take turns chopping. I would measure out berries and sugar, and the children would pour them into the pot. We would use a commercial pectin and bring everything to a boil. Carefully I would skim the foam off the top into a bowl which we would then save in the refrigerator to spoon over vanilla ice cream. We would fill the jars, wipe the rims, and  screw on the lids. Then while the jam was in the water- or steam-bath we would make a pan of biscuits to "sample" the fresh jam with to be sure it was good enough to share. We would sit around the table with that first batch of leavings in the pot and savor the taste of the jam on our tongues and try to identify the flavor of the sun in the jam. This immediate "testing" was a joyful  reward for the hard work we had done.When the bath was done, I would turn the jars upside onto old towels to cool and we would all smile as we heard each lid "plonk"  as it sealed. I would store these jars upside down so that when we would set a fresh jar on the table there would be a space at the bottom. When the kids asked why it did that, I would tell them it was the love we put in. What a delight to eat that "love-filled, sun-infused, ruby jeweled" spread in the dark of winter!
     We also freeze berries for baking or for smoothies. Just wash, cap, and chop as desired. Then measure out in quantities you would use according to the size of your recipes and family. I use those freezer bags that "zip" closed. Label (include the amount) and date your contents and lay flat on a cookie sheet to freeze. Then when they are "set", you can file them in a shoebox in the freezer. Not only does this create an orderly freezer and save space, it also makes the contents thaw more quickly!
     Another treat is to pick out the largest, perfectly shaped berries. Leave the caps on but wash gently. Carefully dry with a paper towel and set aside. In your microwave or in a double-boiler melt some chocolate chips. I add about a teaspoon of shortening too to help the "setting up" process. When the chocolate is melted, carefully dip each berry halfway in the chocolate and set on a piece of waxed paper to dry. Depending on the temperature where you live, you may need to store these in a container in your refrid-gerator. If you really want to dress them up, drizzle melted white chocolate over the chocolate. How delicious!
     One of my rules was that we had to wait til the beginning of the next month to open a jar of jam. Otherwise my family would go right through all of it in a week. This also gave them time to consider whatever else we might can in the next month: elderberry jelly, blackberry jam, apple jelly, and peach preserves. In this way, I "preserved" the harvest in more than one way!
     Lastly, we make a strawberry balsamic vinegar spread that makes a nice appetizers.  Take 2 cups of chopped strawberries, 1 cup of sugar, and  2 Tbl. of balsamic vinegar. Cook strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a medium pan on med heat for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally. I usually eye-ball the thickness of the sauce to determine when it is done. When the jam mixture has reduced to the consistency of thick honey or 220 degrees F. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Try a cracker spread with cream cheese and topped with a drop of this! Yum! 
     One last word - did you know that strawberries are the only fruit with its seeds on the outside?