Something happens to my mind on Sunday nights when I sit down to write my posts for Monday. Maybe it's because it's the Sabbath and my brain knows it can relax and be at peace in savoring each quiet moment. But it's all mush up in that brain...just a bunch of gooey matter that is almost incapable of composing a clear though. Especially after soaking up some sun and fresh air today while I was...
Gleaning!
What? Don't judge. It's biblical.
"To gather up the grain that is left behind by the reaper"
I've had a few inquisitive readers asking me about how we go about finding local places to glean. And honestly, it takes time! A conversation about gardening or a simple drive around town can often uncovered the hidden treasures the summer brings! Usually, we glean apples (wild tree on my parents property that produces really good little apples!), pears (local tree across the street that the orchardist doesn't pick), apricots (from a tree in the backyard of a friend who doesn't like apricots!), peaches (previous client's orchard), raspberries (from my old boss' backyard) and cherries (we always just happen upon these one way or another!).
What a blessing it is to have access to such local, delicious treasures! And until we can build a homestead of our own with a plum tree, peach tree, apple tree, pear tree, cherry tree, raspberry patch, blackberry patch, and blueberry patch (shall I continue?!) - all I can be is eternally thankful for others' bounty they are willing to share. I hope to one day be able to do the same for others!
And what you'll likely find when you go out searching for gleaning grounds it this: Not a lot of people work on stocking up food for winter, so there is usually plenty to go around! We have a lot of trees around us that aren't picked and are just allowed to drop their fruit! Isn't that sad! What a waste! But luckily for you, most tree owners hate the mess that rotten fruit makes - so they'll gladly allow you help them prevent the mess!
So here's my advice on finding places to glean - ask around! Head to your local farmers market and strick up a conversation with a local grower. Ask around to members of your church - do any of them have trees they don't pick? Take notice of places around town where there are trees or patches that don't seem to be harvested - then, ask the owner if they would mind if you picked a few pounds!
, I happened upon "The Gleaner's Ethic" - which I found to be humorous and wise:
"Free is a very good price and not letting food go to waste is vitally important. These days, most cities have organizations that harvest fruit from trees on city property or neglected residential lots. If you city does not offer such a program, you can just check our your neighborhood to see if there are any unattended fruit trees. Those old trees may not always offer the best quality fruit, but they are, nonetheless, producing. If the neighborhood fruit trees appear unattended, check with the property owner to see if he or she minds you gleaning from them. And remember to employ the gleaner's ethic, which means, don't pick the tree bare. Leave some for others."
So what do you do once you've acquired all these pounds of beautiful, fresh ripe fruit? Get to preserving, you food nerd! Freeze them! Dry them! Can them!
This weekend, we were able to pick more than 10 pounds of luscious and sweet raspberries and blueberries! The blueberries we picked from a local organic farm nearby for $3/lb. And the raspberries were free! Total cost = $8.00. Can't beat that! And while we did enjoy some of them fresh, I primarily froze them for future use in cakes, muffins, scones, waffles, smoothies, or oatmeal! Mmmmm!
Sure - it takes a little bit of work to preserve the harvest for the winter. But man, oh man, is it worth it! Fresh, local fruit picked at the peak of freshness. And sometimes - for free!
Now all I need is a big, fat, giant bowl of freshly whipped cream. To smother my berries in and lap up like a thirsty dog. Oh man, do I love me some freshly whipped sweet cream.
It's probably best if no photos are taken of that berry eating event. I must set my blogging boundaries somewhere.
