RHUBARB: Clyde Johnson called to let us know, “Rhubarb is about almost two feet high now. It’s time for rhubarb strawberry pies!”
There are few treats that beat a fresh a homemade rhubarb strawberry pie.
If you’re looking for another way to use your fresh strawberries and rhubarb, we found this recipe on the Penn State Extension’s website:
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jelly
• 1 ½ lb rhubarb
• 1 ½ quarts strawberries
• jelly bag or cheesecloth
• ½ teaspoon butter
• 6 cups sugar
• 6 oz. (2 pouches) liquid pectin
Yields: 7 half-pints
Procedure:
1. Wash and cut rhubarb into 1-inch pieces and blend or grind. Wash, stem, and crush strawberries, one layer at a time, in a saucepan.
2. Place both fruits in a jelly bag or double layer of cheesecloth and gently squeeze out juice.
3. Put 3 ½ cups of juice into a large saucepan. Add butter and sugar, thoroughly mixing into juice.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Immediately stir in liquid pectin. Bring to a full, rolling boil and boil hard for 1 minute.
5. Quickly skim off any foam and immediately place in sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace.
6. Wipe sealing edge of jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Add lids, tighten screw bands, and process jars in boiling water.
7. After processing is complete, turn off heat and remove canner lid.
8. Wait 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner with a jar lifter and place on a towel or rack. Do not retighten screw bands.
9. Aircool jars for 12 to 24 hours. Remove screw bands and check that the lids are sealed.
More tips for this recipe, and more recipes, can be found at http://extension.psu.edu/food/preservation/safe-methods/strawberries.
HERSHEY: Speaking of treats, the Hershey Co. announced it will release a limited-edition line “inspired by the tastes of iconic, U.S. summer destinations” called “Flavors of America.”
If you’re not able to get your hands on in-season strawberry and rhubarb to make your own treats, one of these may do the trick: strawberry-flavored Kit Kats, coconut-almond-flavored Hershey’s Kisses, BBQ-flavored PayDays, honey-roasted-flavored Reese’s peanut butter cups, Key-lime-pie-flavored or orange-cream pop-flavored Twizzlers and cherry cheesecake-flavored Hershey’s bars.
