Fruitful Gatherings
The first jam I ever learned to make was strawberry. The simplicity of it makes for a quick study: Mash berries, add sugar and maybe some pectin, and cook. This three-step process was an easy one for a kid to follow. June was always berrying season for us. Our little patch next to the vegetable garden couldn’t produce enough, so on a Saturday morning early in the month we’d head out to a neighboring farm to pick until our hands blushed pink with strawberry juice. Then back to the kitchen for a jam session, where I’d eat so many berries my mouth soon matched my hands. Although this year I might put fewer up for winter—the gorgeous berry dessert recipes that begin on page 44 provide several reasons to turn the ruby…