This past week our home was turned into The Blackberry House. The blackberries have arrived like they never have before. We are bringing in so many these past few days. I have been busy transforming all of these delicious little gems into creations that my family is devouring faster than we can pick them. My fingers have been stained purple in fact!
I started out by making jam. Of course I had to make jam; sweet, delicious, and black as night blackberry jam. I love to give jars of homemade jam away as gifts during the holidays so the more jam I can get made the better.
Next I used up 4 cups to make a blackberry crisp. Crisps are just as good if not better than pie when they have vanilla ice cream on top. I love to make fruit crisps when the fruits are in season and I made the blackberry crisp the same way I make any fruit crisp. I will include the recipe at the bottom of this post.
Then the lady of The Blackberry House pumped out the greatest creation of all; insanely purple, homemade, blackberry ice cream. Talk about a decadent summer dessert that was berry good! I think I have a new favorite ice cream flavor! This was by far the hardest berry creation yet but it may also be the one that got the biggest raves.
I love my wild blackberry bramble in the far corner of our yard. I do no more to it than keep it from taking over the whole property and yet it rewards us with such an amazing gift each summer. We had a blisteringly hot heat wave last week (our deck thermometer read 115°F on Friday!) One evening I stepped out onto the deck when the temperatures were beginning to cool off a little and I was hit by the smell of blackberries in the air. I was amazed that I could actually smell the blackberries ripe and sweet across the yard. It smelt so wonderful. The way a perfect summer evening in the Pacific Northwest should smell.
Fruit Crisp
- 4 cups fruit
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/3 cup softened butter
Place fruit in a greased 8×8 inch pan. Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until topping is nice and golden and fruit is soft. Top with ice cream and enjoy!
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