Suggestions on how to use blackberries

[savingdogs]

We live in SW Washington state......need I say more?
We have lots and lots and lots of blackberries. Every year we collect and eat some but other than just eating them fresh, we don't tend to enjoy them. Himalayan blackberries are probably not the best although individual berries are great, you just need to be particular as to ripeness.

What I'd like to do is find a good jam recipe that isn't too seedy...or is that impossible, a blackberry jam recipe that isn't seedy? My family does not really like the seeds, which is why although we enjoy smoothies we don't really like blackberry smoothies.

I would love to learn how to make blackberry syrup. Anyone have experience with this? I've also made cobbler, but after I've made that once each year no one seems to want seconds.

So I'd love to find ways of using this limitless resource that I'm currently not able to really utilize despite abundance. Any suggestions you may have would be appreciated!

 

[Wifezilla]

Aren't there strainer bags mad specifically for making seed-free jams and jellies? I seem to recall grandma having one she used with her raspberries.

As for blackberry syrup, one method is to freeze the berries and then thaw them in some kind of strainer. The freezing bursts the cell walls and makes extracting the juice easy.

 

[savingdogs]

And freezing them would be a great way to preserve them quickly! That is the other problem with picking gobs of them, they go bad quickly.....

Last year I tried freezing them sugar coated and my hubby used them up in his smoothies, but they were way too seedy for me. I notice he would let a lot of the seeds settle to the bottom and never finish the cup, as well.

 

[me&thegals]

I run my blackberries through a saucer that clamps onto my countertop. This year, I actually just stuck whole buckets of berries in the freezer, as I couldn't get to them. Then, when I had more time, I thawed them, sauced them (as above) and froze all the seedless pulp again. This winter, when I really have more time, I will make jam.

I freeze a few gallons for smoothies all winter. Plus, they're great in pies, crisps and cobblers. You could use them for frozen yogurt or ice cream. We love them sprinkled on top of applesauce during the winter, then drizzled with a little bit of honey. They're awesome as a topping for ice cream, sauced for waffles/pancakes, and so on.

I made blackberry syrup last year. I believe I found the recipe on allrecipes.com. It's basically a pretty thin jam, with less sugar. For making syrups, I use a jam recipe and either double the berries or halve the sugar.

We find them to be very, very versatile. Good luck!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I usually just process the blackberries in a food mill to get the seeds out and then I make jam, but I don't boil it to the jelling point . . . or if I do make jam that jells, I heat it up and dilute it before I use it (as syrup for pancakes). Same difference to me. The Himalayan blackberries tend to be sweeter, IMO, than the cut-leaf blackberries which also grow like weeds around here.

 

[patandchickens]

It is real easy to remove the seeds by running them through a food mill or fine strainer (after brief simmering); or by putting the cooked product thru a jelly bag (actual, or old clean pillowcase or equivalent -- dampen it first, works better that way). Then you can make jelly or syrup.

Pat

 

[freemotion]

I have five gallons of raspberry wine started, you could do the same with blackberries. It will only cost you (if you can beg, borrow, recycle, etc the equipment like I did) the sugar (10-12 lbs) and the yeast ($1.80 for me.) We got 26 bottles (plus a half bottle) from the last five gallon batch. Oh, we bought corks, too.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Don't have any suggestions -- I usually make blackberry cobbler, jam, and put berries in smoothies too. I'll have to try the syrup.

I just want to say I'm jealous! The goats ate all my blackberries and I actually BOUGHT blackberries for the first time in my life this year! And today I washed the last empty blackberry jam jar. (only bought enough for cobbler and a few smoothies, so no jam for me!)

And maybe I'm weird, but I kinda like the seeds? Especially gotta have seeds in my strawberry jam!

Good luck with your harvest!!!

 

[kcsunshine]

I always just make jelly since I don't like the seeds. But the best part is to take any juice left over after the jelly is made, sweeten to taste and make dumplins in that juice. Mmmmmm good!

 

[me&thegals]

Don't have any suggestions -- I usually make blackberry cobbler, jam, and put berries in smoothies too. I'll have to try the syrup.

I just want to say I'm jealous! The goats ate all my blackberries and I actually BOUGHT blackberries for the first time in my life this year! And today I washed the last empty blackberry jam jar. (only bought enough for cobbler and a few smoothies, so no jam for me!)

And maybe I'm weird, but I kinda like the seeds? Especially gotta have seeds in my strawberry jam!

Good luck with your harvest!!!

I don't mind seeds in most jams, either The blackberry, currant and black raspberry, though, get deseeded. Raspberry and strawberry get to keep their seeds.