Yum!
When my youngest, Lil' Bit, was really tiny she thought strawberries were actually named strawbabies... it was so cute we have called them this ever since. I have made strawbaby jam almost yearly for 12 years. It is a household favorite. If you have never made your own jam, I highly recommend it. There is nothing more wonderful or sweet than opening up a jar of love and goodness on a winters day that you created in the middle of summertime. It is like capturing a little bit of sunshine and sharing it with your family. I was thinking I would not have any chance of canning any this year, and then I saw my friend from over at Serendipity Refined was making jam and I thought I should at least check locally for strawberries and wouldn't you know I found some? (You should really click on her name and check out her lovely page!)
My sweet mom has made many types of jams for years, and my grandmother before her. I even remember watching strawberry jam overflow down the stove and across the floor at my grandmothers... it is one of my earliest memories. Knowing now what sticky mess that would have been to clean up, she handled it gracefully :) ... more gracefully than I would have! If you don't want to make jam yourself, my Mama makes it and sells it on Etsy and it is heavenly. You can purchase it at Paula Jeans Garden.
My sweet mom has made many types of jams for years, and my grandmother before her. I even remember watching strawberry jam overflow down the stove and across the floor at my grandmothers... it is one of my earliest memories. Knowing now what sticky mess that would have been to clean up, she handled it gracefully :) ... more gracefully than I would have! If you don't want to make jam yourself, my Mama makes it and sells it on Etsy and it is heavenly. You can purchase it at Paula Jeans Garden.
It is super important to have the proper tools. Back in Montana I have a Pressure Canner and a Water Bath Canner, but of course we haven't brought those things down yet. Luckily I keep my other items with my regular kitchen supplies. So, I improvised! The most important item for me is the tong tool you lift the jars out of the hot water bath with... I am notorious for burning myself! You will need a pot for cooking the jam, a canning pot, ladle, spoon, collander, jar tongs, jar funnel, jars with lids and rings, cutting board, large bowl,glass and other measuring cups, and knife.
The other really important thing for me is to have really quality ingredients. For a batch of jam you will need several items:
Clean, sterile jars with lids and rings (follow manufacturers instructions for prep) You want your jars to be hot when you ladle the jam in!
Strawberries (5 3/4 cups) I prefer to find organic. Tops removed. I chop half and crush half I like chunks of berries in mine :)
Sugar (7 cups) again, I use organic and I pre measure it out so it is ready to add when the time comes.
Lemon Juice (1/4 cup) organic please :)
1 Box of Pectin My mom orders it in bulk, so if you do a lot of canning it is a good way to go.
Tips:
Do not double recipes
Do not alter recipe amounts
Crush berries by hand and not in a processor
ALWAYS hot water bath jams and jellies
Adjust processing times with water bath for high altitudes I live at 6100 ft so I had to increase my water bath time fifteen minutes.
Make sure you rinse and drain your berries
 Go organic... it is good for your family! |  Pre Measure the sugar before cooking. |
Wash your strawberries and drain. Cut off the green tops. Many recipes call for crushing all the strawberries. I just chop half into small pieces and crush the other half with a potato masher. I personally like some chunks in my jam and have not noticed any change in the outcome of my recipe! Sometimes no matter how well I follow the directions, I end up with Jam which will not set... no matter... I just call it syrup! :)
Step One:
Combine lemon juice and strawberries in your cook pot.
Step Two:
Gradually stir in the pectin and bring to a full boil on high heat! Stir that baby constantly... you do not want it to stick. Please keep safety in mind paying particular care to keep small children and pets away!
 Gradually Adding Pectin |  Bringing Pectin to Boil |
 Add pre measured organic sugar |  Bringing to a boil |
Step Three, Four, Five and so on: Add sugar and stir in so it dissolves. Return to full boil and boil for 4 minutes. (or follow your pectin package instructions which is your safest bet). Remove from heat. Spoon off the foam which has settled on top. Fill the hot sterile jars using a ladle and jar funnel. Leave a 1/4 inch of head space. Wipe the rim and threads with a clean damp cloth... you dont want all your hard work to be wasted by accidently leaving food on the rim :( Adjust the lid and bands... not too tight! Place in boiling water canner and follow instructions for how long to process in your altitude (which you can find Here.)
My pot only holds five... sure made me wish I had my canner here!
Once you have processed your jam in the hot water bath for the allotted time, remove them from the hot water bath and allow to cool 12-24 hours Once cool make sure each other the jars sealed by pressing the center. If the lid compresses or pops up and down... place in the fridge to eat right away or reprocess in the hot water for the same allotted time.
Strawberry Jam with the rain hitting the window outside
"Strawbaby" Jam is the best winter treat!
I wish you could see how messy my kitchen and clothes were! No matter my good intentions I end up with it every where... went to comb through my hair before bed last night and discovered I had even somehow gotten it in there! Hope you will try to put a little taste of summertime for your loved ones! (pst...those left over strawberries make great daiquiris ...you do not have to add alcohol... it is a refreshing treat after a day of canning!)
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