Have you noticed the produce and fruit has been sweeter than ever this year? Is it the change in the environment or us all finding more appreciation of the tasty simple things? Well I probably squealed at the produce stand to smell and see such beauties. Quadruple the normal size and so red and sweet. Yes my yearly jam time for holiday gifts. Nothing taste better than Oregon Strawberry jam in the middle of a December snow. A sweet reminder of summer beauty to hug your memory and taste buds. If you ever visit my home in the winter you will always leave with a jar in hand. Making jam/ preserves is easy and so long term rewarding. Enjoy!
Most important is having all the right tools needed for success.
I found this cool old funnel in an estate sale years ago. I think it gives my jam happy mojo.
You also want to be sure your jars are washed and dried. Have new lids with seals and lid rings. The sealed lids can be bought in small packs to assure you have a clean product.
I use sur-gel pectin to make the process simple and well sure to set up right. Follow the simple directions in package for what fruit your jarring. for strawberry as Im showing its as follows.
- 5 cups cleaned sliced smashed berried. (about 7 pints whole)
- 7 cups sugar
- 1 pac sur-gel pectin
- Tsp lemon
- Tsp butter
- Stock pot
- Canning pot of boiling water
- Canning funnel
- Canning jar tongs
- Ladle
- Masher
- Jars- lids- rings
- High temp spatula
- Tongs to grab hot empty jars and lids
Prep wash jars and lids. Place jars on cookie sheet in 225 degree oven to heat. Place seal lids in small pan of water simmering til use. Fill canning pot with water to height will just cover jars. Get water heating to a slow boil.
Prep fruit. Clean and slice strawberries. Mash in bowl to desired consistency. I like big strawberry chunks in my jam. 
Measure 5 cups mashed into your stock pot with pectin and butter and heat to a full boil. Butter will keep from foaming.
Add sugar. Bring back to a full rolling boil. Allow to roll boil for one solid minute at this point.
Its jarring time!
I like to work over a kitchen towel on my colder countertops. Take a hot jar from oven with tongs and ladle jame i. Thru funnel just below the rim. You can see the line on the funnel when just at bottom edge. Carefully placed lid on clean jar top and ring seal tight. Jars are hot. Be careful.
I like to water process my jars since these will be gifts as well.
After filling and sealing all your jars- place in water bath boiling for ten full minutes.
After process leave out on toweled counter to cool for the day. The seals will “pop” why they cool. I love the sound of its all done!
Shut my mouth! Soooo good. ❤️
Grit Cooking- A Southern Girls Taste 