Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Been jammin'...

***EDITED TO ADD INSTRUCTIONS***


Went to the grocery store today because we needed food. That's usually why I go. Strawberries were on sale 10 for $10. How could I pass that up? Well I couldn't! I've been waiting and waiting for them to go on sale so I could make freezer jam. I did a ginormous batch. We're talking 8 things of strawberries ( I saved 2 for the boys to eat), 32 cups of sugar (crazy huh?!) and 8 boxes of can-jell. I mixed it in my tupperware thatsa mega bowl. I love that thing, but do wish mine was in the new color instead of white. It holds 42 cups...which makes no sense since the ingredients were more than that. It must have something to do with the sugar dissolving. Who knows. All I know is it all fit in that bowl...barely. I had Cody helping me stir because there was a lot of stirring involved and my hands don't do well with that. That batch filled 15 jars and 8 plastic containers. Aren't they so pretty? Well I think they're pretty. One of the girls in young women brought me over a loaf of bread that she baked today. Gotta love that sweet girl! Can't wait to eat it with homemade jam on it.
Gotta some icky bananas on the counter. ( I love it when that happens) Going to have to make some banana bread in the morning. Yum! I'm thinking I need to start posting my weekly menu's again. It helps keeps me on track. Plus I need to add some new dinners to the mix. Same old Same old is well...old! What's cooking at your house?
***edited to add instructions***
Wash, scald and dry containers. It's easiest just to throw them in the dishwasher. Can be typical glass canning jars ( I prefer the smaller ones) or plastic containers with a tight fitting lid.
The instructions and measurements are different for different kinds of fruit. This is for strawberries.
Remove the stems/leaves from 1 quart or 2 pints of strawberries and crush. I cut mine up into quarters then pulsed a few berries at a time in my blender. You really should use a food processor, but mine died. You would still just pulse it with that because you still want some chunks of fruit to remain. I have made jam by using one of those food choppers that you smack the top of, but it takes a long time and my hand was killing me after a while.
One container of berries should equal 2 cups of crushed fruit. (all mine did) Put that in a bowl with 4 cups of sugar and mix thoroughly. Let stand for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. In a sauce pan cook over high heat 3/4 cups water and 1 box of can-jell. Stir constantly. When it comes to a boil let it boil for 1 minute (keep stirring) then pour over berry/sugar mixture. Stir and mix together constantly for 3 minutes. Most all the sugar should be dissolved. Pour immediately into containers leaving 1/2 inch at the top Wipe edges clean and put the lids on quickly. Let stand at room temperature, untouched for 24 hours. Store in freezer. Keep an opened container in the fridge.
I did break one of the rules about not doubling. I'm a rebel that way. I'm not patient enough to do one batch at a time. As long as my measurements are right, I've never had a problem.
When you buy a box of sure-jell it has the recipes inside for all types of fruit. They also include the cooked method that you can and keep in your pantry. The freezer method is easier and I like it so that's just what I do.
Let me know if you make jam. Berries usually go on sale around now...but maybe that's just here in Arizona.

9 comments:

Cecilia said...

What???
Me???
First???

How fun that you've benn jammin'
Can you post all the steps to your pretty jam? I'm dying to learn!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Cecilia beat me to it. I was going to ask for the recipe too. I'd love to make some great freezer jam.

Briana said...

Now that is a great deal on strawberries! If I could find a deal like that around here, I'd really push myself to learn to make jam!

Anonymous said...

I made your salsa and it was a hit!
I love all your recipes! Thanks
Denise Irvine from Miami
deniseirvine@bellsouth.net

Jamie said...

That jam looks yummy! I just started posting menus on our site. I would love to see yours!

Unknown said...

Hi Jolene,

I lurk on your blog but wanted to stop in and finally say hi! I love checking out your recipes - everything you make sounds delish. And not that you asked, but I vote YES to you posting your weekly menus. I could use some menu inspiration in a big way and I'd love to borrow some of yours!

:)

Tracy

Cherie Nelson said...

How do you make the jam and do you have to keep it in the fridge or freezer now to store it?

Chickenbells said...

Sounds very good! I've also been waiting for various berries and yummies to go on sale...since I've started my new "diet" I am eating a ton more fruit than I once did...

Cindy said...

This post makes me want to get out my strawberry jam and have a late night snack! My mom and I did this a couple months ago and actually found a mix that seems to use less sugar and that you don't have to boil. It turned out really yummy and we loved that we didn't have to do all the work! We found it at Walmart next to the regular sure-jells!