Pick of the Season: Blueberry Jam

Northern Manitoba bursts with flowers, berries, and leaves to provide for both wildlife and people. “Pick of the Season” is a series that highlights what to harvest and how to use it. Grab a bowl, it’s time to pick blueberries.

Blueberries have been a key part of the traditional diet of First Nations and Métis for generations - eaten fresh, dried for winter use, boiled to make tea, and more. In late summer, picking parties made up of many generations would converge on the low-lying bushes as an equally important cultural tradition.

In the North, there are not just people in the patch. Berry pickers must contend with greedy migrating geese and Wapusk (which means “white bear” in Cree) looking to also enjoy the sweet, nutrient-dense fruit. Luckily, there’s an abundance for all, clustering across Churchill and near Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site and Cape Merry^[1]; enough to make something to savour any time of year:

Blueberry Jam

Go out and pick blueberries - but watch for polar bears!

Ingredients:

• 10 cups of wild blueberries
• 1/2 cup of lemon Juice
• 1 pkg of pectin (original)
• 5 cups of sugar

Method:

• Sterilize your jars and lids beforehand. Have a pot of boiling water ready to set your jars in to seal.
• Crush 10 cups of berries in a pot. Turn stove to high.
• Add lemon juice and package of pectin. Mix well and bring to a rolling boil.
• Add sugar and mix well. Keep stirring and return to rolling boil for 1 minute stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Let sit and stir to keep berries from floating to top.
• Fill jars, leave 1/4 inch at top of jar. Apply lid securely.
• Place jars in the pot boiling water for 5 minutes, remove, and let sit overnight. Makes 8 - 1 cup mason jars.

Serve with Bannock by the Bay.

Want more recipes from the land? Check out previous Pick of the Season posts on fireweed and Labrador Tea.

Recipe provided by Heather Spence-Botelho, Knowledge Weaver with Parks Canada. Heather was born and raised in Churchill, Manitoba. Her maternal grandparents are both Dene and Cree from the traditional territories in and around Churchill. Heather is a member of the Fox Lake Cree Nation band. She loves the outdoors, and cultural traditions are important to her.