Category Archives: Fig Jam

Thanks to Hector & Elsa, Springfield Al and Incline Mike

I stopped by Hector and Elsa’s to confirm it’s ok to filch, er, harvest, their pomegranates this year and managed to catch them just as they were backing out of their driveway.

What’s the first thing Hector says to me? “Hold on, I have something for you.”

He pulled back in his driveway, walked up to the front of his garage and brought me 3 cases of brand new jars he’d gotten on sale from BigLots. When I offered to pay for them, he said, “If you pay me for them, I can’t accept any jelly or goodies.”

Since that’s a line I’ve used, myself, over the years, what could I say, except, “Thanks very much.”

And after posting my request for assistance last week, Springfield Al and Incline Mike both offered to help with harvesting and pressing of the pomegranates… something we’ll begin doing later this week.

And speaking of pomegranates, Joanne and I harvested our tree this weekend… not nearly as many in years past, but enough to make a case or two. Hector and Elsa’s tree is full, though not as full as years past, either. We (all) attribute the lower production to the heavy storms that blew through in the Spring when the blossoms were in full bloom. But, it is what it is so we’ll make whatever we can and distribute accordingly.

And speaking of making goodies, this past week Joanne made ~5 cases of fig and 2 (or 3?) of pear / apple fruitney… it’s uh-mazingly decadent and will go very well on toast, waffles, as “chutney” with pork / other select meats and even over vanilla cream… 1 spoonful is like eating an apple / pear pie – raisins (2 kinds), apples, pears, cinamon, almonds, walnuts, a touch of brown sugar and… voila, die, Jenny Craig diet!

(sugar / diet watchers note: Joanne began to experiment with low sugar pectin last year and the results were so good that she only makes low sugar goodies these days… much, much better flavor and for sugar watchers.)

Until next time, thanks for visiting, be well and don’t forget to write when you get work.

hal

Coming back to life…

A week home and I’m feelin’ pretty good, thanks for asking.

Visited the surgeon on Tuesday and had the staples removed… now my gut looks like either railroad tracks winding their way through the mountains or Frankenstein’s neck / head area – your call.

All systems are normal and I’m groovin’ along pretty well, though there seems to be a conspiracy by the Doc and Joanne to keep me from using my Dyson
I know Incline Mike is feeling my pain on this one 🙂

Miscellaneous updates:

Figs are ripening at a prodigious rate… Joanne’s been processing by the bucket lately and made 3 cases of jam on Monday night. She harvested the Pears while I was in the hospital and will use some of them in various jams / fruitneys over the next few days.

Last night I put ~20 pears to two gallons of 80 Proof Vodka and tucked them away – those will be ready for syrup (by my standards) in the Spring. Come holiday season this year, if you’re local you’ll likely see a variety pack of liqueurs… I’ve got ~7-8 gallons in syrup that will be ready to go – I need some cupboard space back.

Request for your assistance:
As a result of my surgery / recovery, I am unable to climb the pomegranate trees I usually harvest. I have a work around (long harvesting pole) but I’m not sure how using it will impact me… if you’re reading this and have some time to lend a hand, I’d appreciate your backing me up for a few hours so we can get the juice to make your goodies. No juice, no goodies.

We’ve got a handful of Quinces (our first harvest after 3 years of growing the tree) and will likely make jelly from those. Lots of tomatoes and lettuce coming in now but, alas, as noted earlier – no honey from our lazy bees.

All of the an-gi-muls are doing well: Dee loves the carpeted areas of the kitchen but still struggles with footing on non-carpeted areas… likely we’ll carpet the remaining areas for Dee’s sake. Pan seems to be completely recovered from her surgeries, gaining weight and returning to normal. Knothead and Penny remain unchanged.

I’ll post some new photos in a few moments. Until then, as always, thanks for visiting, be well and write when you get work.
hal