Top & Tail

Gooseberries are an odd but beautiful fruit. Red and green, they look like exotic glass beads. Similar to rhubarb, they are not an item to eat on its own, but rather accompanied by sugar, sugar, and more sugar. To "top and tail" means to snip off the stem and the flower end. Well, you need to be completely committed to this process, because trimming 2 cups takes at least 45 minutes. Since Ronald is a jam fan, I decided to turn our gooseberries into jam. And besides, it's just fun to say "Gooseberry jam", "Pass me the gooseberry jam, please". If you are a tart fan, this is the jam for you. Coarsely chop 2 cups in the food processor, mix with 1 cup sugar in a sauce pot, and boil lightly until the mixture clings to a wooden spoon, and refrigerate. Gooseberry jam, done. From all of the lip smacking, and "ummms", I think it turned out well.

Comments

[Allison]

I really love the photo you used of the gooseberries - it's beautiful! Did you take it yourself?