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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Strawberry Jam ~ The Best Thing

The best thing about June?  Strawberry jam!  Ever made it yourself?  It's not hard.  You can buy all kinds of special equipment for jam making, but I keep it simple and do with what I've got.  No fancy jam maker or water bath canner for me.  Would I use them if I had them?  Yes.  Am I going to wait to get them?  No way!

What's really necessary?
Clean sterilized canning jars, flat lids and screw rings are required. You can buy a new box of half pint canning jars for around $8.00. The jars are reusable as long as there are no nicks in the jars. You must use new flat lids each time. You can reuse the rings as long as they are not rusted.  A ladle, a wide mouth funnel,  and a magnetic jar lid lifter are helpful.
 Strawberries ~ enough to make 5 cups of crushed berries 
Sugar ~ 7 cups
Sure Gel pectin ~ 1 box
All the instructions are included on the package insert.  Follow them closely and you'll see things like this in your own kitchen.





You'll need a big deep pot.  This is my stainless steel wok.  It's the perfect size.  You can use any deep pot that holds at least 5-6 quarts. 
I usually use a wooden spoon to stir my jam.  This time I used my rubber spatula.  It's one that's made for cooking with heat.  I liked how easy it was to scrape the sides and bottom of the pot.  Constant stirring is imperative.  I didn't take a picture, but I use a deep ten quart pot to water bath my filled jars.  That means I boil the filled jars in the water for 10 minutes (15 minutes for altitudes over 1000 feet).  I boiled water in my tea kettle to add to the kettle after adding the jars.
My aim here is not to give directions on how to make jam but to show you that it is possible even if you don't have fancy equipment.  Get yourself a box of Sure-Gel.  Read the package insert, and you'll see just how easy it can be.  Be strong!  Be courageous!  Make jam!


Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura


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26 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Laura that jam looks perfectly yummy, wish I could join you to sample it with a gorgeous big scone. You enjoy Laura, great post as always, love your blog
    Lots of love
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 19, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    Hi Dorothy,



    I've never made a scone before. Maybe I'll have to try one.

    Blessings to you,

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    Yum and Aldi's has strawberries for 99 cents a box now! I tried to leave a comment yesterday and it wouldn't let me??

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 19, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    Yum and Aldi's has strawberries for 99 cents a box now! I tried to leave a comment yesterday and it wouldn't let me??

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageJune 19, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Laura, I am making strawberry jam for the first time in about three years. There won't be any pectin in it this time just berries and sugar. Thanks so much for sharing and joining me at my HOME. Happy Summer!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  6. God's Grace OverflowsJune 19, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    Well, I think your jam looks very nice! Jam making is very easy and I love to see all my fruit packed into those little jars. As a matter of fact I have been canning for 2 weeks now. I just made some Cherry Syrup for my hubby for Father's Day. My mom in law and I just made Strawberry-Rhubarb, Currant and Plum jelly. And they all turned out yummy and beautiful... I'll be posting photos here soon, you'll have to stop by and check them out.
    I hope you share photos on your kiwi jam. Have you ever made it before? Is it sweet?
    Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  7. debra @ HOMESPUNJune 19, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    The trouble is when local berries are in I just keep eating them fresh and never get around to the jam, lol...though I did make a cobbler the other day with them and peaches. Your photos and examples are Great! :) You have me all inspired to maybe do this after all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 20, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    Hi Sue,
    I'm not sure what was going on with the comments. I just turned off the word verification box. I'm going to try to just moderate comments. As long as I don't get too much spam, I'll keep it that way.

    I got these strawberries for $.99 a box at Wal-Mart with ad match. I haven't checked out Aldi's ad for this week yet.

    Blessings to you Friend Sue!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  9. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 20, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    Hi Debra,
    I've never tried a strawberry cobbler. These strawberries were so good, we ate a lot of them.
    Do you have a blog?

    Laura
    Lane

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 20, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Oh, you'll have to let me know how your jam comes out. If it's good, I hope you'll share the recipe. I'd love to save a little money when I make jam.

    Blessings to you,

    Laura
    Lane

    ReplyDelete
  11. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 20, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Oops, deleted this by mistake. I contacted Bernideen and made it right. ~smile~

    Here's Bernideen's comment:

    "I haven't canned strawberry jam for years but look forward to doing
    so in retirement! We will be retiring in the not to far off future in Columbia, Missouri.

    Your jam looks wonderful - enjoy the fruit of YOUR labor!"

    Here are the links to her blogs:

    Bernideen's in Historic Old Colorado City
    Bernideen Canfield

    See Bernideen's Tea Time Blog at:
    http://blog.bernideens.com/

    Bernideen's store blog:
    http://bernideens.blogspot.com/

    Thanks for your kind comments, Bernideen. It will be good to welcome you to Missouri.

    Blessings,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rachael @ Inking the HeartJune 20, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    Someday I am going to be brave and make jam! But first I might need to find a friend with experience to do it with me. Thanks so much for visiting Inking the Heart. Your links back here will encourage me to try new things. Blessings, Rachael

    ReplyDelete
  13. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 20, 2013 at 10:30 PM

    Hi Rachael,

    I'll bet there are you tube videos to teach you. I just followed the directions on the Sure Gel box. My fruit floats to the top. I've got to figure out why.

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fluster BusterJune 23, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    Strawberry jam is a favorite in our house. I just made a batch a few weeks ago and it's already gone. Thanks for sharing at Fluster Buster's Creative Muster!

    Robin @ Fluster Buster

    ReplyDelete
  15. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 23, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    Hi Robin,

    I looked yesterday and two jars were already eaten! They eat so much more homemade than store bought. ~smile~

    Blessings to you,

    Laura Lane

    ReplyDelete
  16. bjJune 27, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    I've made Strawberry Freezer Jam the last couple of years and we are so in luv with it. Sooo simple to make.
    Your jam looks really good.
    Over from Mrs. Olsons

    ReplyDelete
  17. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJune 28, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    Hi BJ,

    I tried making freezer jam, but it always came out runny for me. I decided to make regular cooked jam and find we like it better.

    I do have one problem, my berries want to rise to the top. I need to find someone who knows what I'm doing wrong. Any ideas?

    Thanks for talking back!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  18. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJuly 2, 2013 at 8:05 PM

    Hi Laura, I love homemade jam! I just made raspberry. Still have a few strawberry left from last year. I make the easy freezer method. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  19. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJuly 2, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Hi Jann,

    I made blackberry jelly last week for the first time. A friend found blackberries on the church property. One jar for the pastor. ~smile~

    Blessings to you,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Charm of HomeJuly 23, 2015 at 2:12 AM

    I need to try this! I have some of our strawberries frozen from this year. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kim July 23, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    I've never made aim before, but this look doable ~ and delicious! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageJuly 23, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    If I can do it, you can do it, Kim. ~blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  23. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonAugust 3, 2015 at 11:21 PM

    I love making jam! Raspberry is my favorite, but I make strawberry as well. Makes the house smell so yummy when you are making it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  24. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageAugust 4, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    Hi Jann,

    Fruits are cheap at Aldi this week, but I just don't have time to make jam right now. Bummer!

    Have a great week!
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  25. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMarch 5, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for writing me back!

This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Laura Lane

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