So you’ve put in the time and effort, spent the long hot hours slaving away in the sun, and you’re finally ready to sit down and reap the rewards of your effort but… what exactly are you supposed to do with this bountiful harvest?
Well, the simple answer is to chow down and eat it, you know it’s going to be delicious, but that’s selling yourself short! There are a ton of different things you can do with your fruit once you’ve harvested it and most of them don’t even take very long or require much effort to enjoy.
Here’s just a look at some of the things you can do with your freshly picked fruit, other than eat it right away that is.
Jellies, jams, and preserves – If you’ve ever been to the store (and who hasn’t, am I right?), you’ve probably seen the outrageous prices on processed, store bought jams and jellies full of nasty preservatives and artificial additives that are most decidedly not good for you.
Instead, with just a little research and some store bought supplies you can turn your fresh fruits into jams, jellies, and preserves that you can enjoy right away or later on down the road! Just be sure to properly label and date your jars (or whichever storage container you choose) so you know what you’re coming back to later if you decide to freeze them.
A more immediate solution to your delicious fruit usage needs is to turn them into something you can eat and enjoy! Fruit is a core part of many different recipes and the fresher the fruit the better. Take the time to get the recipe for your favorite pies or cobblers and go to town with your family baking till you drop.
Got extra apples? Turn them into tasty cider or a delicious batch of apple sauce, however you like it. The only limits you’ll run into are your imagination and your appetite.
Last and definitely not least, you can give your fresh fruit to your friends and family. Alliteration aside, wouldn’t love a basket of fresh fruit from the people they love? Pick and choose from your harvest and personalize each gift basket with its recipient’s favorite fruity snacks.
Or, do a mix of all three choices and deliver a set of jams or a fresh baked pie or cobbler to your neighbors. What good is having all these tasty treats if you can’t share and enjoy them with those closest to you?
When it comes to the things you can do with tasty, delicious fresh fruit the possibilities are nearly endless but I’m sure you can come up with something. You worked hard all season, now’s the time to kick back, relax, and enjoy all the tasty fruits that you worked for.
