The grapes have ripened. The best bunches were picked last night from a fence line that I've been keeping my eye on.
Initially I thought of freezing them whole. Then I thought of drying them outside for raisins, but someone suggested to me that the raisins would be really small given that wild grapes are already small to begin with. So my final idea was to make grape juice.
Here was the process:
I have 22 ounces of juice. I'm thinking enough for three breakfast servings.
Image credit: Cale Ruiz
Initially I thought of freezing them whole. Then I thought of drying them outside for raisins, but someone suggested to me that the raisins would be really small given that wild grapes are already small to begin with. So my final idea was to make grape juice.
Here was the process:
- Picked, washed, and covered grapes with water in a pot
- Brought mixture up to a boil and let simmer a few minutes
- Mashed mixture with a potato masher while still hot in the pot
- Drained mixture through a piece of cotton placed inside a colander
- Added just enough sugar to juice in order to reduce sourness
- Poured juice in plastic container for the freezer
I have 22 ounces of juice. I'm thinking enough for three breakfast servings.
Image credit: Cale Ruiz