Thread: Blackberry bonanza

On 12/3/2010 11:07 AM, notbob wrote:
> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>
> nb

What I'd try is to place the blackberries in a single layer on a baking
sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, put the berries in a
ziploc baggie or container and keep that in the freezer. YMMV ;D

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

On Dec 3, 12:14*pm, Sky <skyho...@NOsbcglobal.SnPeAtM> wrote:
> On 12/3/2010 11:07 AM, notbob wrote:
>
> > Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. *Six ozs for
> > only $1!! *I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. *What can I do
> > to preserve them, short of canning? *I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> > sugar and put in freezer bags. *Yes? *No? *I need advice.
>
> > nb
>
> What I'd try is to place the blackberries in a single layer on a baking
> sheet and place in the freezer. *Once frozen, put the berries in a
> ziploc baggie or container and keep that in the freezer. *YMMV ;D


And don't wash 'em first either.

On 12/3/2010 12:14 PM, Sky wrote:
> On 12/3/2010 11:07 AM, notbob wrote:
>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>>
>> nb
>
> What I'd try is to place the blackberries in a single layer on a baking
> sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, put the berries in a ziploc
> baggie or container and keep that in the freezer. YMMV ;D
>
> Sky
>

That's what I would do.

--
Currently reading: To Try Men's Souls by Newt Gingrich and William
Forstchen

In article <4cf923c3$0$31910$[email protected]>,
notbob <[email protected]> wrote:

> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>
> nb

You dawg! Freeze them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or
parchment; then bag them up and use at will as you will. I wouldn't
mash or sugar until I was going to use them. That's limiting.

--
Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella
"Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle."
Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010;
http://web.me.com/barbschaller

On 2010-12-03, Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:

> You dawg! Freeze them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or
> parchment; then bag them up and use at will as you will. I wouldn't
> mash or sugar until I was going to use them. That's limiting.

The freezer/cookie sheet thing seems unanimous. I'll do it.

I've got some mashed and sugared for vanilla ice cream, already. I'm
gonna jump into the whole pie thing, too. Wish me luck!

nb

"notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4cf923c3$0$31910$[email protected]..
> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.

We get that sort of sale every now and then. I usually eat them fresh. I can
buy bags of IQF blackberries for about the same price, so it's not important
to me to freeze those.




Brian
--
Day 667 of the "no grouchy usenet posts" project.
Current music playing: None.

On Dec 3, 1:50*pm, "Default User" <defaultuse...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "notbob" <not...@nothome.com> wrote in message
>
> news:4cf923c3$0$31910$[email protected]..
>
> > Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. *Six ozs for
> > only $1!! *I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. *What can I do
> > to preserve them, short of canning? *I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> > sugar and put in freezer bags. *Yes? *No? *I need advice.
>
> We get that sort of sale every now and then. I usually eat them fresh. I can
> buy bags of IQF blackberries for about the same price, so it's not important
> to me to freeze those.

What you said. Once you freeze them, they're just frozen
blackberries, which come in 12oz. bags from the Schnuck's freezer case
for $2.69 or $2.79. Fresh with cream and Splenda!
>
> Brian
>
--Bryan

notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>
> nb

Apparently blackberries are in season in China. I don't know how else they
could be both fresh and that cheap. Whatever you do, do it really fast,
because those imported berries will mold up before you can blink. Check the
bottom of the containers down around the little napkin. I've found mold in
them while still on the grocers' shelves. Same with raspberries. But at that
price you could throw out half the package and still get a great deal.

My sis made a wonderful cranberry relish/jelly for thanksgiving by cooking
down fresh cranberries with maple syrup. It's truly delicious. I wonder how
that would work with blackberries. (Noting that I'm suggesting you try
something I haven't done at your expense) Otherwise, if I wanted to preserve
them, and didn't mind freezer textrure, I'd just vac pack them.

MartyB

Sky <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 12/3/2010 11:07 AM, notbob wrote:
>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>>
>> nb
>
> What I'd try is to place the blackberries in a single layer on a
> baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, put the berries
> in a ziploc baggie or container and keep that in the freezer. YMMV ;D
>
> Sky

In a vaccuum bag. I suggested that in another post but in that case she is
correct about freezing first. Some vacpack units wouldn't handle the juice
they would give up very well but they all handle pre-frozen food nicely.

MartyB

Default User <[email protected]> wrote:
> "notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:4cf923c3$0$31910$[email protected]..
>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>
> We get that sort of sale every now and then. I usually eat them
> fresh. I can buy bags of IQF blackberries for about the same price,
> so it's not important to me to freeze those.
>

But fresh or frozen, the price he's getting them for is irresistible. You'll
pay several times that much for IQF berries.

MartyB

notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>
> nb

Here's another... put them on some good french vanilla ice cream and serve
with a couple shortbread cookies.

notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 2010-12-03, Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> You dawg! Freeze them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or
>> parchment; then bag them up and use at will as you will. I wouldn't
>> mash or sugar until I was going to use them. That's limiting.
>
> The freezer/cookie sheet thing seems unanimous. I'll do it.
>
> I've got some mashed and sugared for vanilla ice cream, already. I'm
> gonna jump into the whole pie thing, too. Wish me luck!
>
> nb

That'll teach me to read the whole thread. However I did specify french
vanilla, not just vanilla, and some cookies. ;-)

Good luck with the pie!

On Dec 3, 5:35*pm, "Nunya Bidnits" <nunyabidn...@eternal-
september.invalid> wrote:
> notbob <not...@nothome.com> wrote:
> > Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. *Six ozs for
> > only $1!! *I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. *What can I do
> > to preserve them, short of canning? *I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> > sugar and put in freezer bags. *Yes? *No? *I need advice.
>
> > nb
>
> Apparently blackberries are in season in China. I don't know how else they
> could be both fresh and that cheap. Whatever you do, do it really fast,
> because those imported berries will mold up before you can blink. Check the
> bottom of the containers down around the little napkin. I've found mold in
> them while still on the grocers' shelves. Same with raspberries. But at that
> price you could throw out half the package and still get a great deal.

They are more likely from this hemisphere, maybe Chile. There are
everbearing blackberries developed by the U of Arkansas, the Prime Jan
and Prime Jim. I picked fresh blackberries this September. Seems to
me that such varieties might produce well into November in more
southern zones. Certainly some raspberries are everbearing. I'd like
to see them planted all over the place. Nice berries to eat, and they
provide nice brambles for bunnies to dwell in. Remember Br'er
Rabbit? Anyone else enjoy reading Uncle Remus in dialect? Many
people don't realize that Br'er is just a shortening of the word,
brother.
>
> MartyB

--Bryan

"Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:idbv7j$lo8$[email protected]..
>
> Default User <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "notbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:4cf923c3$0$31910$[email protected]..
>>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>>
>> We get that sort of sale every now and then. I usually eat them
>> fresh. I can buy bags of IQF blackberries for about the same price,
>> so it's not important to me to freeze those.
>>
>
> But fresh or frozen, the price he's getting them for is irresistible.
> You'll pay several times that much for IQF berries.

No, I won't. As I said, about the same. The store brand (which are very
good) are regularly $2.25 for 12 oz bags. Sometimes on sale for $1.99. Now,
raspberries have gotten out of hand.



Brian
--
Day 667 of the "no grouchy usenet posts" project.
Current music playing: "Starting Now" (Ingrid Michaelson)

On 12/3/2010 6:01 PM, Bryan wrote:
Remember Br'er
> Rabbit? Anyone else enjoy reading Uncle Remus in dialect? Many
> people don't realize that Br'er is just a shortening of the word,
> brother.

Yep, I remember Br'er Rabbit & Uncle Remus very well! Wasn't there a
Disney movie along the lines of Uncle Remus, "Song of the South" from
years way back?

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

On Dec 3, 7:47*pm, Sky <skyho...@NOsbcglobal.SnPeAtM> wrote:
> On 12/3/2010 6:01 PM, Bryan wrote:
> Remember Br'er
>
> > Rabbit? *Anyone else enjoy reading Uncle Remus in dialect? *Many
> > people don't realize that Br'er is just a shortening of the word,
> > brother.
>
> Yep, I remember Br'er Rabbit & Uncle Remus very well! *Wasn't there a
> Disney movie along the lines of Uncle Remus, "Song of the South" from
> years way back?

Yes, but I've never seen it. I hate when classics get Disneyfied. I
just finished watching the Disney Sorcerer's apprentice. I have a 9
YO son. My god Nicholas Cage is a bad actor, though my wife thinks
he's good as eye candy, speaking of which, the actress that played the
Becky role is the most attractive new starlet I've seen in years.


I spent many hours reading Uncle Remus out loud in dialect that was an
imitation of old sound recordings I've heard of African Americans from
many decades ago.
http://www.c-span.org/antietam/narratives.asp

Notice the pronunciation, "old marster" in the first interview. For
some reason I have found American slave dialect fascinating for quite
some time.


>
> Sky

--Bryan

Nunya Bidnits wrote:
> notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>>
>> nb
>
> Apparently blackberries are in season in China. I don't know how else they
> could be both fresh and that cheap.



South America. China is in the Northern Hemisphere, in the same season
as we are.

gloria p

On Dec 3, 9:16*pm, "gloria.p" <gpues...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Nunya Bidnits wrote:
> > notbob <not...@nothome.com> wrote:
> >> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. *Six ozs for
> >> only $1!! *I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. *What can I do
> >> to preserve them, short of canning? *I'm thinking mash 'em up with
> >> sugar and put in freezer bags. *Yes? *No? *I need advice.
>
> >> nb
>
> > Apparently blackberries are in season in China. I don't know how else they
> > could be both fresh and that cheap.
>
> South America. *China is in the Northern Hemisphere, in the same season
> as we are.

Anyone else currently grow blackberries/raspberries? Anyone
interested in doing so? I love eating them fresh off the plant.
>
> gloria p

--Bryan

On Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:16:20 -0700, "gloria.p" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>> notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Our local mkt is having a sale on fresh blackberries. Six ozs for
>>> only $1!! I've bought 2 pkgs and they are very good. What can I do
>>> to preserve them, short of canning? I'm thinking mash 'em up with
>>> sugar and put in freezer bags. Yes? No? I need advice.
>>>
>>> nb
>>
>> Apparently blackberries are in season in China. I don't know how else they
>> could be both fresh and that cheap.
>
>
>
>South America. China is in the Northern Hemisphere, in the same season
>as we are.
>
>gloria p


Costco gets them in from Mexico a lot. I get 18 oz for $4.99 or $5.99,
depending on time of year. They are sweet and fresh and I like them a
lot. They are a one of my basic food groups. I go into withdrawal when
I cannot get them.

I eat them out of hand, sprinkled over cottage cheese, in a fruit
salad, mooshed up and cooked with a bit of sugar to fill aebelskiver,
toss them into pies and coffee cakes....oh, I am hungry.