Adventures of a Concord Grape
We arrived at Corey Lake Orchard just as sun was rising. The air was frosty, deep blue-purple concords peeked through the foliage, and greeted us with their sweet aroma. It was transcendent!
I quickly learned that two 5-gallon buckets equal one bushel of grapes. With a special steamer they make eighteen quarts of glorious juice! It only took us an hour to pick seventeen buckets, but the real work began in the kitchen. Some grapes were destemmed and frozen to be canned once they arrived their destination in MO. The rest were canned for my dad, my brother n sister-in-law, my gramma and myself. We had four steamers going full tilt from approx. 10-4pm and by the time we were finished, I felt like a sticky grape popsicle! Afterwards my brother took us for a pontoon ride at the nearby lake. The perfect way to relax after a long workday!
Eighteen quarts won’t last all winter. But it is a great start for a first-time experience!
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1 bushel of fresh picked concord grapes.
18-quart jars, lids and rings.
A steamer and elbow grease makes wonderful homemade juice.
Jar, set for 24 hours before moving.
Remove lids and store in your pantry.
Cheers!
