Thimbleberry Jam for Nan

[M]

Last week I took a friend to the podiatrist and found a wonderful thimbleberry patch in the redwoods behind the office. Have you ever had a thimbleberry before? They are found mostly in the Pacific Northwest at the edge of redwood forests. They look sort of like a raspberry, and taste like a combination of raspberry and strawberry. They are delicate and difficult to find in bulk, since birds love them too. I decided to venture back to the patch and spend some time picking to try and get enough to make a small jar of jam for my friend Nan. Thimbleberries are her favorites, and I wanted to send her a little taste of home.

I have been making jam for long enough that I don't really need to follow a recipe, but here is a rough recipe for making a small jar of berry jam:

Grate 1/2 an apple into 1/2 cup of water and boil for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apple acts as a natural pectin.

Add 1/4 cup of sugar, the juice of 1/4 fresh lemon and 1/2 cup of thimbleberries. Mash some of the berries with a fork.  Bring to a low boil, stirring often, and boil until the majority of the liquid has cooked down.

Pour into a sterilized jar, fasten with sterilized lid, and boil in water bath for 20 minutes.

[Aunty Nean]

Well, I've learnt something today! You clever thing!

[Yan]

lovely!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Thanks for the education! Never saw or heard of them but I bet it is fabulous! xoxo

[Dawn wwt]

what a thoughtful and special gift for your friend! i know she will appreciate every little bite. Hugs, Dawn

[Lois55 wwt]

This is a very interesting looking berry, I have never heard of it or seen it! Your gift will mean so much to Nan! It all sounds so yummy!