Kermis Time of Year

Kermesse, or kermis, or kirmess, is a Dutch language term derived from 'kerk' (church) and 'mis' (mass) that became incorporated in French and English. Its origins are originally associated with the mass said on the anniversary of the founding of a church (or the parish) and in honor of the Patron Saint.  Such religious celebrations were regularly held in the Low Countries, in Central Europe and also in Northern France, and were accompanied by feasting, dancing, drinking and sports. 

The Dutch-American Village of Little Chute, Wisconsin, has celebrated Kermis annually since 1981 with a street festival. The Wallonian settlements in Door and Kewaunee Counties have celebrated Kermis with traditional Belgian dishes and events for as long as anyone can remember.  

Traditionally, Kermis around here stretched over several calendar weeks as each small settlement - Namur, Brussels, Rosiere, Little Sturgeon, Forestville, Lincoln, Duvall and Casco celebrated the harvest and the life-giving bounty of food.  

I'm not of Dutch or Belgian descent - but we're celebrating our own Kermis here with a steady harvest from the garden including raspberries!

Our raspberry patch is roughly equivalent to the square footage of our master bath.  It is not huge.  Nevertheless, after cleaning-out the dead canes in early spring and giving it a generous drench of 'Raspberry Food' (fertilizer formula from Jung Seed) it has returned to proper productivity.

It is presently going thru it's second flush of ripe berries and the birds don't get them all.  There have been plenty to incorporate in hand pies, crepes, salads and with ice cream.  

 

This past weekend I emptied the freezer of the frozen surplus and made a batch of homemade jam.

Raspberry jam is an annual event and while the 2021 batch is a wee bit 'loose' in texture the tart sweetness is dang good.

Sixteen half-pints of shelf-stable homegrown goodness.  

Vive la confiture de framboise rouge!  

 

Recipe here.