Strawberry Freezer Jam
There is nothing like homemade jam from sweet, juicy, sun-ripened strawberries picked fresh off of the vine. Here in the midwest, the strawberry picking runs for a few weeks starting toward the end of June and running into July. What started out as a tradition with my Aunt Amy when I was a youngster has now turned into a cherished event with my own little darlings. I will remember those sweet faces forever...dripping with strawberry juice...Emma so excited to find the reddest, juiciest berry...Hudson shouting, "I found the mother load!!!" It's amazing how a jar of jam can hold so many precious memories.
Ingredients
- 4 c. mashed strawberries (freshly picked, ripe, stems removed)
- 8 c. organic cane sugar
- Two 1.75 oz. boxes premium fruit pectin (such as SURE-JELL)
- 1 ½ c. water
- Ten 8 oz. freezer-safe glass jelly jars (with lids and seals), washed and dried
Instructions
- Mix mashed strawberries and sugar in a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes. This will seem like a lot of sugar, but it is required in order for the jam to set properly. I repeat-do not reduce the amount of sugar:)
- Combine fruit pectin and water in a small saucepan. Stir constantly over high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute while continuing to stir.
- Add pectin mixture to strawberry/sugar mixture and stir until sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes.
- Pour mixture into jars immediately, leaving about a ½ inch space at the top. Wipe any jam from rim and jar with damp paper towel. Cover with seals/lids and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours to set.
- Keep what you would like for immediate use in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. The remaining jam can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. When you're ready to enjoy a jar, thaw in the refrigerator over night.
Notes
My favorite way to enjoy this jam is on top of toast that's first been lathered with a generous amount of salted butter...yum!
Other uses:
- Over ice cream
- Mixed into plain yogurt
- In a crêpe
- On a biscuit
- Over pancakes
- Over waffles
- On anything, because it is absolutely delicious!!!
