Summer Pickin'

I ran out of homemade strawberry jam in May. It was dreadful having to go a whole month without it! Last week my sister and I picked enough strawberries to make 34 jars of strawberry jam! It's already going fast but I froze enough berries to make more just in case I run out again. Now I am gearing up for the raspberries (my favorite!) and blueberries. There are so many wonderful "pick-your-own" farms nearby, one right here in Ashburnham. Odd Pine Farm has been a family farm for 52 years and they have the best PYO blueberries around. They open for picking around July 22. Barrett Hill Farm also has PYO blueberries (opening July 15) as well as a beautiful post and beam farm stand where they sell fresh berries, produce, jams, jellies, granola, and bread. They also raise and sell angus beef, pork, and lamb. Red Apple Farm in Phillipston and Lanni Orchards in Lunenburg both have PYO berries and fantastic farm stands. Don't let the summer go by without tasting the glorious produce grown right here in New England.