ANSWER: Rose hips are the round “balls” remaining after a rose blooms, withers and the petals finally fall away. The pods contain seeds that may eventually produce more rose bushes, but foragers have also found other uses for them, like for making classic rose hip jelly — and since they’re loaded with vitamin C, rose hips are nutritious as well as delicious. Sun Spots is sure that some readers must have tried and true recipes or tips to share, and she sure hopes to hear from them, but in the meantime, here’s a simple recipe Sun Spots found for you to try courtesy of the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Services.

First, you have to extract the juice from the rose hips you have collected — Maine has plenty of wild roses if you don’t happen to have any growing in your garden. To do this, pack 12 cups of cleaned (flowers removed) rose hips into a saucepan and cover them with about six cups of water. Bring to a quick boil, reduce heat and boil slowly for 15 minutes. Strain the juice through a jelly bag or cheesecloth. Discard the pulp. This should yield about 4 cups of juice.

Rose Hip Jelly

4 cups rose hip juice
1 package powdered pectin (1 and 3/4 ounces)
6 cups sugar

Sterilize pint or half-pint canning jars and prepare lids. Measure sugar and set aside. Measure the juice into a large saucepan. Add pectin and stir until dissolved. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Stir in the sugar. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off foam, immediately pour hot jelly into hot canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and add prepared two-piece lids. Process the filled jars for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath. Rose hip jelly may take up to one week to set.
Yield: 10 cups

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a rigid heddle portable loom to give to somebody or group that is familiar with weaving. It is about 22 inches wide. I have the basic instructions that came with it as well as for a “catalogne.” I made one myself many years ago, when the Franco festivals lasted several days, with the help of a nice lady who gave me those instructions. They are in English.

I also have a treadle sewing machine which I would say is only in fair condition. I would consider donating that also. It seems as though someone might be able to use it once it undergoes a little TLC. Whoever thinks they might want it would need to pick it up. I can be reached by phone at (207) 364-7479 or preferably by email at cherygallant@gmail.com. — Cheryl, No Town.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My family had a garage sale on June 3 and 4 on Dupuis Avenue in Lewiston. We sold a VCR player with a remote.  Unfortunately, the wrong remote was sold. We have the remote and would like to give it to the person who bought it. Please call (207) 576-7094. Thank you. — Michelle, Lewiston.

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