Fresh local berries and home made jam

One of the best parts of May are the fresh local berries. We have two local farmers nearby that have the most gorgeous berries! We have been enjoying them in the evenings. I like to buy local produce as much as possible. If I don't grow it in my garden I buy it at a local stand.

The berries are so big this year. Hubs has been asking me if I would make home made strawberry jam this year. Since my blackberry jam was such a hit last summer, I thought I would give it a try.

 

Heres what you need

3 quarts of Fresh strawberries

4 cups of sugar

1 box(es) Fruit Pectin

½ teaspoons Butter

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

12 canning jars with two piece lids 

Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water, or in the dishwasher. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use.

Wash berries throughly, remove tops and cut into nice medium sized pieces. Crush strawberries thoroughly, a cup at a time.

STIR pectin into fruit mixture in saucepan along with a cup of sugar. Add butter to reduce foaming, if desired. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the remaining sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.

LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids making sure your lids are dry. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on a cool dry surface. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)
You will hear the tops popping when they start to cool. This means they are sealing. 

 

I think I would like to make another batch before the berries go out of season. It was so easy, and you can't beat home made preserves!  

It's been a long time since I did a cooking post. It feels great! 

Comments

[Kate]

So glad it feels great! Your photos of the berries and the jam are wonderful. Makes me actually want to maybe make my own.
Oh, wait.
It's passed. Ha!

[Megan (Best of Fates)]

I've always wanted to make homemade jam - and that looks so delicious I think I'm going to jump right in and do it!

[Ginny]

I've always been intimidated by homemade jam. And this post shows how easy it is! You should do some more posts soon :) Have you thought about biscuits or other yummies?

[Alice C]

Just looking at that jam makes me want to get cooking immediately - even though it is really my bedtime.

[Connie S.]

Our strawberry season is still a few weeks away. I plan on hauling out all my workers to u-pick with me this year (we have a field just about five minutes away). Our frozen strawberry stash this past year only lasted until about December. It's been a long five months without frozen strawberries to play with. Your photos are making me anxious.

[Cancer Surgery]

Hey, Thanks a lot for the recipe here. My son loves to have it. I will definitely try it this week end. The images look too cute with that majestic red color. Fond of tasting it.

[The Vamp Tramp]

I know what you mean. I miss my old baking posts. Sigh. The jam looks delicious! My sister recently made us all a bunch of homemade jams. You're right. Nothing beats homemade. So good.