Common Ground Tour - Jelly

Lately the country has been focused on our differences; the political situation pulling folks further and further apart. Those differences are serious and real. But even as we explore those I believe it's important that we, as a common people of this country remember and stregthen our shared values and beliefs.  As S.D. and I are head west through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisana and Texas,  the focus is going to be on what we all share in common, i.e. The Common Ground Tour.

 With such a lofty goal, and such deep divisions, that common ground may be elusive, and even trival seeming at times. But we have to start somewhere! Monday it all started with jelly.

It seems that Americans, where ever they are, will take the fruit, and in some cases flower, of whatever grows locally, smash it up,

Fireweed (wikipedia)

cook it down, add sugar and make jelly.  In addition to the usual jelly contenders like blueberry, rasberry, strawberry etc., there are some pretty unusual ones. In Alaska it was fireweed (a flower) jelly, in the southwest they make jelly from prickly pear cactus fruit.  In Florida there's some type of palm fruit jelly and then there is Mayhaw jelly.

The Mayhaw trees at the Golden Acres Ranch, where we spent Monday night, were still dormant.  Thriving because they can live in boggy land where other trees can't, they will bloom and fruit by May (hence the name).  Once ripe  the ranch owner, Bobbie,  hosts a berry picking, jelly-making festival. She showed us some of the frozen berries which looked a lot like very large cranberries, and sold us some jelly.  Mayhaw jelly is a deep rich burgundy color and tastes most like a smoked cherry/chocolate blend. It's unusual and really good. 

Staying at the Golden Acres Ranch was one stop of what we hope will be many made possible by the Harvest Hosts program. For a small annual fee we are able to spend the nights at participating farms, wineries, museums and other attractions.  It's a pretty cool program, a great way to get a little deeper into the country than staying at RV parks and campgrounds allow.

 PS - The Golden Acres Ranch also grows and sells lamb and goat.  Our freezer is close to full!