Strawberry Season – A Bountiful Harvest from Strawberry Hill Farms

🍓 Strawberry Season

A Bountiful Harvest from Strawberry Hill Farms

"We will enjoy the fruits of our labor this winter — and so will a few friends and family." 🍓✨

🍓 20 gallons of beautiful berries — transformed into pies, jams, and more!

🍓 20 Gallons

🥧 Pie Filling

🍯 Low-Sugar Jam

⭐ Bountiful Harvest

📌 In This Article

🍓 The Strawberry Season Story 🍓 What We Made 📝 Strawberry Pie Filling Recipe 👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step ✨ Pro Tips ❓ FAQ

🍓 The Strawberry Season Story

Good morning from NC. I've finished my strawberries for the season. I've done 20 gallons of beautiful berries from Strawberry Hill Farms in SC. 🍓✨

From My Kitchen: "There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked strawberries from Strawberry Hill Farms. I've been making the trip to SC every year, and this season was absolutely incredible. 20 gallons of berries — and every single one was beautiful, juicy, and full of flavor." 🍓❤️

This year's harvest was one for the books. The berries were exceptionally sweet and fragrant, and I knew I had to capture that flavor for the months ahead. I spent hours in the kitchen — washing, hulling, and transforming these gorgeous berries into strawberry pie filling, low-sugar jam, freezer jam, and strawberry pies.

We will enjoy the fruits of our labor this winter — and so will a few friends and family. There's something so satisfying about opening a jar of homemade strawberry pie filling on a cold winter day and being transported right back to the sunny fields of Strawberry Hill Farms.

💬 "We will enjoy the fruits of our labor this winter — and so will a few friends and family." 🍓✨

🍓 What We Made

🥧

Strawberry Pie Filling

Truly to die for — absolutely delicious!

🍯

Low-Sugar Jam

Perfectly sweet, without the extra sugar.

🧊

Freezer Jam

Low-sugar and bursting with fresh flavor.

🥧

Strawberry Pies

Already devoured — a family favorite!

🍓 The Verdict: The strawberry pie filling is truly to die for. Absolutely delicious. The strawberry pies have already been devoured, and the jams will be enjoyed this winter by many. Have a blessed day! 🍓

📝 Strawberry Pie Filling Recipe

Yield: Approximately 6-8 half-pint jars  |  Prep time: 15 minutes  |  Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

8 cupsFresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

2 cupsGranulated sugar

½ cupCornstarch

1 cupWater

2 tablespoonsLemon juice

½ teaspoonCinnamon (optional)

Red food coloringOptional, for color

🍓 Pro Tip: For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries from a local farm like Strawberry Hill Farms. The quality of the berries makes all the difference!

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1 Prepare the Strawberries

Wash and hull the strawberries. Slice them into quarters or halves, depending on your preference. You want pieces that will hold their shape in the pie filling.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a strawberry huller to remove the stems quickly and efficiently. It saves so much time when you're working with 20 gallons of berries!

2 Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon (if using). Whisk until well blended.

3 Combine and Cook

In a large pot, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar mixture, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Important: Stir constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The cornstarch can burn if left unattended.

4 Adjust Color (Optional)

If you want a brighter red color, add a few drops of red food coloring and stir until incorporated. This is purely for appearance.

5 Jar and Process

Ladle the hot pie filling into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, apply lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes (adjust for altitude).

🥫 Storage: Properly canned, the pie filling will last up to a year in a cool, dark place. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.

🍯 Low-Sugar Jam & Freezer Jam

For the low-sugar jam and freezer jam, I used a low-sugar pectin like Sure-Jell or Ball's low-sugar pectin. The process is similar:

• Low-Sugar Jam: Combine crushed strawberries with low-sugar pectin, bring to a boil, add a reduced amount of sugar, and process in a water bath.
• Freezer Jam: Mix crushed berries with low-sugar pectin and sugar, let it sit for 24 hours, then transfer to freezer containers. No cooking required!

💡 Pro Tip: Freezer jam is the easiest way to preserve the fresh flavor of strawberries. It tastes just like summer, even in the middle of winter!

✨ Pro Tips for Strawberry Season

• Pick fresh, local berries: The flavor of farm-fresh strawberries is incomparable. Strawberry Hill Farms in SC is my go-to!
• Work in batches: 20 gallons is a lot of berries! Work in manageable batches to avoid overwhelm.
• Use a strawberry huller: It saves hours of prep time.
• Don't over-sweeten: Good strawberries are naturally sweet. Let their flavor shine.
• Share the love: Give jars as gifts to friends and family — they'll be so grateful!
• Label everything: Write the date and contents on each jar. You'll thank yourself later!

📬 Stay Connected & Learn

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new recipes and tips, and receive a FREE printable recipe card collection!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I use frozen strawberries for pie filling?
Yes! If fresh berries aren't available, you can use frozen strawberries. Just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid.

❓ How long does canned strawberry pie filling last?
Properly canned and stored, it lasts up to a year in a cool, dark pantry.

❓ What's the difference between freezer jam and canned jam?
Freezer jam is uncooked and has a fresher, more vibrant flavor. Canned jam is cooked and has a longer shelf life.

❓ Can I use less sugar?
Yes! Use a low-sugar pectin like Sure-Jell or Ball's low-sugar pectin. The flavor will still be amazing.

❓ What's the best way to use strawberry pie filling?
Use it as a topping for cheesecake, ice cream, or pancakes. Or pour it into a pie crust and bake for a delicious homemade strawberry pie!

Final Thoughts

This strawberry season was absolutely incredible. From the beautiful fields of Strawberry Hill Farms to the bustling kitchen where I transformed 20 gallons of berries into pies, jams, and pie filling, every moment was filled with joy and gratitude.

I'm so excited to enjoy the fruits of my labor this winter — and to share them with friends and family. There's nothing quite like the taste of summer preserved in a jar. 🍓✨

Have a blessed day! 🍓

💬 "We will enjoy the fruits of our labor this winter — and so will a few friends and family. Have a blessed day!" 🍓✨

📄 Printable Recipe Card

╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                 STRAWBERRY PIE FILLING                                ║
║              A Bountiful Harvest from Strawberry Hill Farms           ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

YIELD: 6-8 half-pint jars | TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 8 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Red food coloring (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Wash, hull, and slice strawberries.
2. Mix sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Combine strawberries, sugar mixture, water, and lemon juice in a pot.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and boiling.
5. Add food coloring if desired.
6. Ladle into sterilized jars, leaving ¼" headspace.
7. Process in water bath for 15 minutes.

"The strawberry pie filling is truly to die for!" 🍓
      

🍓 You May Also Like

🍓 Classic Strawberry Jam 🥧 Perfect Pie Crust 🍯 Low-Sugar Canning Guide

🍓 Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always follow safe canning guidelines and your pressure canner's manufacturer instructions for safety. Processing times may vary based on altitude — adjust accordingly.

© Strawberry Season – A Bountiful Harvest from Strawberry Hill Farms 🍓