The Sweet Smell of Strawberries

Last week, the kids and I went out strawberry picking.  It was hard to leave, I wanted to keep picking!  The strawberries were beautiful and the smell....was delightful.  We came home and started making some jam with the pickings from the day.  Oh, the house smelled wonderful!

Making Jam - What You'll Need:

Strawberries

Pectin

Sugar

Water

Jars or containers to store the jam in

FIRST we SLICED and MASHED the berries.

We made two batches of jam.  Our low sugar recipe called for 4 cups fresh strawberries and the full sugar recipe called for 2 cups.  The back of your pectin box will tell you exactly how much sugar and strawberries you will need.

NEXT, we STRAINED the berries.

I don't care for a super chunky jam, so we poured our berries through a strainer.  We smashed the berries through the strainer which made for a smoother jam.

Next Step.  

We MIXED WATER, PECTIN, & SUGAR 

as directed on pectin box.

Again, each of the batches called for a different amount of sugar and water.  Check your pectin box to make sure you have the correct amount.  This is the part I messed up.  {giggle, giggle, grin}  I ASSUMED that both batches would use the same amount of water....NOPE.  It was too late when I realized I needed 3/4 cup (with full sugar recipe), not 1 cup (as called for in less sugar).  Oops....lesson learned. 

The jam is still edible, but in a more soupy form. We used some of it on ice cream, though, it was super sweet.

NOW....AFTER the pectin mixture has BOILED, you ADD the BERRIES.   

Quickly mix the berries into the pectin mixture.  Mix for 1 minute.

THE FINAL STEP.  POUR the jam into clean containers, giving 1/2 inch space at the top.  COVER with lid. Let SET.

I used ball freezer containers and Gladware plastic containers you can get at the store.  Whatever is freezer safe.   Let the filled containers set by leaving them on the counter for 24 hours.  The jam may be refrigerated up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to a year.

Mmmm....this was a fun, yummy project.  We don't eat too many PB & J sandwiches at our house, but it has made a comeback now that we have delicious homemade jam. 

Do you like PB & J??  Do you like more PB than J or more J than PB?