Making Strawberry Jam for Miriam

What tastes better than fresh strawberries? My 12 year old and a friend picked a load of the beautiful red jewels yesterday. I took 4 quarts and made strawberry jam. Today I will make strawberry syrup and strawberry shortcake. The rest will be cut up and frozen. And we will set aside a bowl filled with some fresh ones for Miriam to eat.

This is Miriam.


The jam turned out fantastic. Not too sweet. I actually was concerned because the recipe called for 7 cups of sugar. I actually followed the jam directions (I tend not to follow directions) and the end result is sweet but not an overload of sickly sugariness. I got the recipe from Blue Ribbon Preserves by Linda J. Amendt. It is one of the best canning books I have used.

Strawberry Jam

Use strawberries the same day you pick them. Wash just before using. Chop the berries, then lightly crush them in small batches. Just crush the berries enough to release the juice.

Makes @ 9 half pint jars

4 cups hulled/crushed ripe strawberries (@2 quarts whole berries)
2 Tbls strained fresh lemon juice
7 cups sugar
1/2 tsp unsalted butter
1 (3 oz) pouch liquid pectin

In an 8-quart pan, combine the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar. Cover and let stand for 2 hours.

Remove the cover. Over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, heat the mixture utnil the sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in the butter. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in the the entire contents of the pectin pouch. Return the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Skim off any foam.
To prevent the jam from separating in the jars, allow the jam to cool 5 minutes or so to distribute the fruit. Ladle the hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads with a clean, damp cloth. Cover with hot lids and apply screw rings. Process half-pint jars in a 200F (93C) water bath for 10 minutes, pint jars for 15 minutes.