I think it was the unmistakable scent of spring in the air, but sometime Friday I suddenly needed JAM. Strawberry, of course, being the kids’ favorite, and definitely blackberry, being MY favorite. Fruit was purchased, jars were sterilized, and the jamming began.
The strawberry jam recipe I started with was this one by Ina Garten…I changed a few things though. The end result was perfect, I think. Sweet, berry-y (that’s a word!) and makes nice small batches.
Strawberry Jam
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Combine sugar, lemon juice and water in saucepan over low heat, stir until sugar is as dissolved as it is going to get. Add the strawberries and bring to a slow boil, let it do this for about 20 minutes. Scoop off the foam as it develops and discard. Jar as you normally would, yields about 4 half pints.
And then came time for my beloved blackberry jam. Hate raspberries, hate blueberries, LOOOVE blackberries. I’m like the only one in the house who does, though, so MINE ALL MINE!!!
Blackberry Jam
- 2 quarts blackberries, crushed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 box (1-3/4 or 2 ounces) powdered pectin
- 6 cups sugar
Combine fruit, pectin and lemon juice in saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add the sugar and keep stirring, bring it back to a full boil. Keep stirring and let boil for one minute. Remove from the heat and skim off foam. Jar as normal, yields about 8 half pints.
Up next…apple pie and fried peach pies!
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on Mar 14th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Oh, how I miss Florida! I hope to make freezer jam next weekend. It doesn’t last as long but then it doesn’t need to!
My mom would make huckleberry jam and it was exquisite. I can still taste it. Now you’ve set me off to find them and a recipe. . .
on Mar 14th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
@Joan of Argghh!: You moved??? I’ve been major blog-reading slacker over the past few months, sorry!
on Mar 14th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Charleston, baby! OMG the food here is incredible. . . I’m living next door to my son and his wife. Said son is sous chef at a very famous restaurant here. He’s been learning the art of canning and pickling this month. Can you say weight gain? Gah!
on Mar 28th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Looks deelish! Can’t wait to try my hand at making jam.
on Apr 17th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I smell a peach pie in my future. Thanks and nice blog.