Strawberry Picking Tradition 

It was time once again for the Peterson strawberry picking tradition.  I call it a tradition because every May in the last four years I go to Eckerts Country Store and Farm to pick too many strawberries.  I say too many strawberries because immediately after picking the strawberries I go home and look for recipes that use up lots of strawberries.  The items we always make include strawberry cream cheese bread, whole wheat strawberry bars and a version of strawberry jam. 

The specifics that changes every year include who accompanies me and who makes the jam.  Usually Laura and/or Emily pick with me and Emily makes the jam.  This year though Emily is living in California so Suzanne and Heath took pity on me and agreed to come with me. 

It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.  We checked out the O'Fallon Farmers Market prior to going to Eckerts.  This is the first year for the market and we were startled to find very little produce.  However, it is maybe a little too early in the season for that.  What they were selling were herbs, hanging flower baskets, local farmers meats, stationary, coffee and lots of pastries.  There was also lots to see in the little downtown of O'Fallon so it was a fun way to start the day. 

Once at Eckerts we got down to the serious business of berry picking.  A lot of other people had the same idea so we had to stand in line just to get on the berry picking wagon.  Once in the fields though there was plenty for everyone. 

Suzanne and Heath took a basket and went one way and I went another.  They believe in the berry picking strategy of quality over quantity.  As a result, they scrutinize their strawberries for perfect shape.  I, on the other hand, just pick strawberries.  I am mainly going to bake mine so no one is every going to see their initial shape anyways.  The end result is my basket had more strawberries by the time we finished even though there were two of them picking and filling their one basket. 

The next day, Suzanne came over to my house and made strawberry jam.  I had two recipes and all the supplies Emily and I have collected over the years to do this.  However, Suzanne had some new ideas.  She decided to make strawberry rhubarb jam.  It must be the end of rhubarb season because we had to go to three places to find that rhubarb and then when we did we did not buy enough.  Everyone likes the jam though so I am wondering how it would taste with twice as much rhubarb.  I guess we will have to find that out next year.