Some time back in October we were awakened by the dogs freaking out. Turned out there was a Black and Tan Coon Hound that had wandered up to our door step and refused to leave.
One broken hip (wifey), a spaying, continuing treatment for heart worms, and a ton of shits and giggles later we’ve kinda/sorta settled into having this country girl (Maggie) as a part of our family and farm. While the wound left by the passing of one of our Border Collies (Dixie) has not fully healed, Maggie does her damnedest to make sure that you focus on her whenever possible. Here (below) is one of Maggie’s techniques to hold your attention. She’ll get in this position and will not move; demanding to be talked to and petted.
I mentioned earlier that when Maggie came to us she had Heart Worms and we undertook the ‘long form’ treatment to rid her of them. This means that she takes a monthly medication that continually treats her blood system. One of the several drawbacks is that the meds preclude being able to take an oral tick preventative. The ticks have reemerged here and so the vet determined that the best route was to have her wear a flea collar (the meds in the collar will not interact/conflict with her Heart Worm treatment).
Off I go to the vets in Loretto, TN and am immediately amazed at the millions upon millions of Blackberry canes that are in bloom.
Every overgrown field and every fence-line between my place in the ‘real sticks’ and the vets shop in the ‘almost really in the sticks’ was lit up with blooms that promise a bumper crop of these tasty fruit.
My mind immediately began contemplating the many ways that I know to put up these fruits and, once I returned home I looked up a few more. Here is where I’m going to go with my Blackberry bounty this year.
In-as-much as distilling spirits is still, inexplicably, illegal I’m going to take a run at two types of ‘infusions’: One with grain alcohol (as per the video below) and one with an infused brandy. The brandy run will have just a touch (less than a smidgen) of cinnamon added. Both products, together, will make a unique gift come mid-December.
Blackberry Jam (and related yummies)
I’d like to make at least two varieties of Blackberry Jam this year: “regular” and something I’ve made in the past called ‘Black-Jack’ which is a Blackbery Jam made with Jalapenos. Nothing like Black-Jack to liven up steaming breakfast biscuits (unless it’s pear preserves, but that’s another story/post). I’m thinking that a new addition to my garden, a pepper called ‘Lemon Drop” (Aji Limon) might pair well with the blackberry flavor. Japs weigh in at 2,500 to 8,000 Scovillle Heat Units (SHU) while the Lemon Drop ranges from 15,000 to 30,000.
I’m also planning on canning up some berries all by themselves for later use in cobblers. I may even try my hand at homemade blackberry bread.(think Thanksgiving)
So there’s also a variety of syrups, non-alcohol beverages, ice cream and cheesecake topping, cakes, pastry, and muffins to be made if one can manage to collect a hoard of these free berries.
The only downside to gathering berries is the dreaded ticks and chiggers. If you’re going to out into the tall grasses, take it from a man that has had his ass chewed raw by these little parasites: treat your clothing with permethrin the day before you set out (it lasts for two months or so and for several washings) and invest in a $2 bottle of calamine lotion (yes, it’s still a thing) for the back end in case the chiggers find a way to reach you.
Finally, spend a little time with those that need your attention. You’ll both reap a blessing from the effort.