Gooseberry bushes are rather sprawly things with lots of very sharp thorns.
Well, it didn't take very long and my cold heart melted and I was picking gooseberries. Did I say I hated picking gooseberries? Well, you would hate picking gooseberries too. Gooseberry bushes are liberally covered with thorns. The foliage is thick and you have to part it to get the berries.
So it was agreed that I would pick a few cupfuls. I think I picked six cups. Then comes more work with gooseberries. You have to "top and tail them" So there you sit taking off the stem and flower end. So I even melted and agreed to clean up the gooseberries. The Micro Manager was in a hurry to make jam so we had jam made before supper time.
Now the gooseberry bush has been there since we moved to the place. In the past I picked everyone of those little berries and had my hands ripped to shreds.
We had some slave labor in those days. The kids were set up to get the berries ready for cooking. One of the slaves wasn't keen about his job so he would clean up one berry and throw two over the fence until the micro manager became suspicious of something and found the berries that were thrown over the fence. ( This is one of those family stories that won't go away but now everybody laughs,
So how many of you like gooseberry jam? How many of you have had the pleasure of picking gooseberries?
So there you have it. We have gooseberry jam one more time.
LOL - I've never had gooseberries. I did find those youtube video on how to pick them (Or you can search on Youtube for "How to pick gooseberries without the pain). I have no idea whether it works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTiB4p03jwg
ReplyDeleteI will check this one out!
DeleteI hate thorns but I do love homemade jam! I have never picked gooseberries and probably would not be good at that job. You are a good husband to pick and clean them! You will be rewarded with jam and maybe pie too!
ReplyDeleteOnly jam this time. We started too late and most berries were over ripe.
DeleteMy husband introduced me to gooseberry jam and we both love it. But we haven't had any in years because the berries are rarely sold in our local stores. So sad :) I've never picked them but I believe he did, when he was a kid (slave labour like you said).
ReplyDeleteGood on you for doing your bit for the jam-making project!
We have six fruit bushes in our yard and it's surprising how much we get from them.
DeleteSounds like a dangerous job, sure hope the jam was good:)
ReplyDeleteThe jam is always good. The picking is one of the worst.
DeleteI'm always up for stewed gooseberries Red, but they are a thing of the past for me now. An old fashioned fruit that deserved more respect in this time where everything needs to take no more than 5 mins attention.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
Stewed gooseberries? I've never heard of them. So what are they?
DeleteNever had the jam, but now I guess I understand the meaning of gooseberry as applied to people back in the day. I remember Anne (of Green Gables) using the word to describe a prickly sort of friends back in that wonderful older series.
ReplyDeleteMy first experience with Anne was when a teacher read it to the class.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of gooseberries. I am sure the jam is delicious. You are so nice to go out and pick berries for the jam! Take care, enjoy your day!
I'll bet there's another name for gooseberries.
DeleteI've never had gooseberry anything, and now I'm convinced I never will! But your story about your adventures with gooseberries made for a fun post, Red! :-)
ReplyDeleteTrust me . It is worth while to pick them.
DeleteI have never picked gooseberries. I tasted the jam once but it is not memorable. If someone was making it though...
ReplyDeleteThe pies are very good.
DeleteI haven't ever had gooseberry jam, but I'm guessing that it must be pretty delicious considering the pain of gathering those berries.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great flavor. I couldn't say what it is like.
DeleteDave has talked about planting a gooseberry bush but now I think I'll talk him out of it! I had no idea they were so thorny.
ReplyDeleteNo, plant the bush. I know I might be starting a fight but the jam and pies are worth it.
DeleteI don't think that took much persuasion! Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of my weaker moments.
DeleteI never had gooseberries before but won't ever pick them if I see them. Not a fan of thorns.
ReplyDeleteWe have wild gooseberries so maybe it's North American thing although my wife is British and she loves them. She can't remember them in England.
DeleteIt would help if you had heard of this new-fangled invention - GLOVES!
ReplyDeleteWell, I did use a good glove on the left but it would be hard to handle the berries with a glove.
DeleteNo gooseberries, but a lot of elderberries, and gooseberries that cost me a residing job for the barn.
ReplyDeleteI should know what elderberries are?
DeleteI can't say I've ever had gooseberry jam. Lots of jam, but not gooseberry. Can you put on some thick gloves to make the picking easier? Last question: Did it take all 6 of the cups you picked to make the 1 jar of jam in the photo?
ReplyDeleteA glove on the left hand works but you can't handle the berries with a glove. The jar of jam is three cups. Gooseberries are very tart so you use a lot of sugar.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all the comments and your replies it seemed worth it to see if I could find some gooseberry jam to try. Sure enough, found it on Amazon. Ordered up a 12oz bottle which should be delivered on Friday. I will give you a report.
DeleteReceived the gooseberry jam. Delicious! Read the whole story at John's Island today. Thanks Red! https://john-s-island.blogspot.com/2020/08/unexpected-blog-joy.html
DeleteI love goosberries, but I never see them here anymore. Also not in the supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteI have picked gooseberries and have to agree with you — those thorns are treacherous! I mostly let the birds have them.
ReplyDeleteWe have become so lazy with the abundance of pre-prepared food. I even get upset when I have to snip the ends off of our fresh green beans. No excuses.
ReplyDeleteI love gooseberries. My grandmother grew them. I had decided to grow them next year because I have just cleared a pied of garden to plant various fruit bushes. I was told in New Zealand that they were not a commercially viable crop but a few grew them and they were very expensive when you could get them. Now that you have reminded me of all the pitfalls I may well re-consider.
ReplyDeleteI've never had them.
ReplyDeleteNot only have I never had gooseberry jam, but have never even seen the bushes which do not sound like something I'd enjoy picking berries off. And, I was also thinking that for all the dangers and work you mentioned, the result was a single bottle of jam.
ReplyDeleteI love all kinds of berries as is, frozen or in jam. I know I wouldn't like to pick them as I always poke myself no matter how careful I try to be.
ReplyDelete