From Instagram:
So there we were, playing in the backyard. Dan had the kids squealing on the trampoline while Luke and I were throwing the football. And in between tosses, a most delectable scent graced my nose and I followed it, only to discover a freaking vineyard! I can't say I didn't know we had a grapevine because I did. It's just that the past few summers only yielded a few bitter bunches. But this year I hadn't noticed it nearly tripling in size and these smelled so good, I couldn't resist a taste. Aside from the annoying little seeds inside, they were so yummy. So I enlisted my little helpers and we spent the next 20 minutes pulling back leaves to find bunch after bunch after bunch. I think we're going to make some juice. I've just gotta figure out the right way to do it because right now I'm resisting the very strong urge to put them in a bucket in the backyard and stomp them with my bare feet. #sweetsurprise
We really had a great time picking all the grapes, but then I was left to figure out what to do with them. In my heart, I do things like make homemade grape juice and can it. But in reality, I buy grape juice at the store and have never canned anything in my life.
After a little research, encouragement from my mom, and some canning supplies loaned by my friend, Emily, we embarked on our maiden grape juice voyage.
Luke and Max were at school, but Ava and Finn were more than willing to help. We washed and squished the grapes with a potato masher. Then we cooked it all on the stove.
We strained it through a paint filter from Sherwin Williams because I couldn't get a hold of any cheesecloth.
We let it rest and settle in the fridge for about 24 hours.
And after a day or so we poured off the top and discarded the pulpy stuff on the bottom, and the color became much more palatable. I boiled it and then canned it, turning out some mighty tasty grape juice, like the domestic goddess I've always dreamed I was.
1 comment:
Any way to turn it into root beer?
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