Tuesday, August 12, 2008

How to Make a Fine Batch of Jam

I've mentioned our abundance of strawberries (and rhubarb) and the jam is flowing here folks. I've made enough batches this month that I thought I might as well tape it for anyone who needs to be convinced how extremely easy it is. Because of the high sugar content the jars seal by themselves and don't require processing in a water bath or pressure cooker. It's just a matter of carefully following the recipe that comes with the purchased pectin and filling up the jars.

Oh, and if I can get in another plug for making your own jam, the homemade stuff is so far superior to anything you can buy at the store that the 20 minutes it takes to throw a batch together is a small price to pay for the way your mouth will rejoice. Easy, tasty, frugal, healthy and eco-friendly to produce your own fruit and then preserve it. I just don't see a down side.

Now despite my efforts to the contrary you're going to see right off the bat that my film making is anything but professional--please overlook my crazy hand motions at the end. Apparently I can't talk without moving my hands, it's like watching The Lorax with disembodied hands everywhere!


But if it convinces just one of you to get out there and try this easy stunt, well then my work here is finished.

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Congratulations to Julie of London, Kentucky (oh how pretty Kentucky is) for winning this week's prize of an Evenflo Journey Premier stroller! A terrific prize and one that I'm sure will be well used.

Sponsored by MomAgenda.com--Enter to win daily planner giveaways from Mom Agenda.

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28 comments:

United Studies said...

Yummm...

Now if you could please tell me what to do with all the tomatos I picked at a local farm this weekend? I don't know how to preserve them.

threesidesofcrazy said...

Great instruction video! Where were you 20 years ago when I taught myself to make jam? LOL

Unknown said...

looks like fun, actually. i'll have to try this.

(to jacki, tomatoes can be frozen, just slice, bag and freeze). you may want to peel them first so they don't come out too tough.

Anonymous said...

I've never had the guts to try making jam.

For tomatoes: get a fruit dehydrator.

Erin said...

Wow! That's incredibly easy--much easier than I ever would have anticipated. I think I might try it! Thanks!

Pencil Writer said...

Good job on the video and jam making! Makes me want some fresh jam to eat!

Janet said...

My grandmother taught me how to make jam, and the first summer I lived in Kentucky we were surprised by a humongous crop of strawberries, and I stood at the stove and stirred jam for hours. We only lived there a year, so I don't know what happened the next year, but that piece of prpoperty was subsequently sold and broken up into lots and has a bunch of houses on it now. I'd like to try it again though. We may try to grow strawberries here next year, as soon as we can establish that the Queen isn't actually allergic to them.

Lapa37 said...

I t look delicious my mother-in-law used to make homemade strawberry/blueberry jam. It was oh so good.

One Mom said...

The next Food Network star! Back in the day when I was cooking up lots of jam, we alway put melted parafin on top of the hot jam to make a seal. That way we could recycle our miscellaneous small jars and not have to buy lids every year. Enjoyed the glimpses of your kitchen audience:)

Munchkins and Music said...

Great video. I love homeade jam.

Jennifer said...

I canned my 1st strawberries in the spring of 2007 and we enjoyed the fruits of my labor for several months.

This year, I made blueberry jam and loved it too!

I did have 1 batch of strawberry jam not set, and we use it for topping waffles, ice cream, and pancakes.

Maddy said...

With those hands you must be Italian! I can't believe that 'a child' entered the room and behaved beautifully.

So next time, can I come and be your tripod!
Cheers

Patty Williams said...

Flats and rings, that's what we call those things !


Jacki...you can , "can" tomatoes too! A little bit of work but oh, so good! You don't need a pressure canner either, just a hot water bath for the jars,lids etc. YOu can do sauce, juice, whole, etc. Luck!

Patty Williams said...

oops..Michelle, meant to say, you've got me wanting some fresh jam! yummo!

Anonymous said...

Great to watch the video - now to make the jam!

J said...

YUMMY. Maybe we should go to one of those 'you pick em' places this weekend...hmmmm....

Claremont First Ward said...

There IS nothing like homemade jam. I usually make freezer jam and it's so easy. My Grace was totally disappointed when we made a batch of jam in like 5 minutes. (The berries were prepared). I was lucky enough to get a whole case (12 quarts prepared) of FREE blackberry/marionberry puree so I've been making jam like a wild woman.

One Big Happy Family In Utah said...

I'm sorry, I'm familiar with this idea of canning with a day's harvest. We are typically killing ourselves with bushels of berries, peaches, tomatoes. It's the old 'well if one is good, thirty pints / quarts should be great' mentality. Then of course you're left hating the process, not very fond of the fruit (or assorted vegetable), and cursing the day you spent over the hot steaming mixture instead of enjoying the day.

I'll have to give this 'new' method a try :D

Anonymous said...

Okay. I'm convinced I want to try this someday.

AlaneM said...

I like your hands, very graceful.

That jam sounds yummy, I've got to look into you pick farms around here - I don't have a garden at home yet. We have to dig the plot out - ugh!

karen said...

Cool! I have always envied people who could make jam but have been a jam-o-phobe myself. You make it look easy enough that I might be able to manage it...I think I'll give it a go when we get the new kitchen in!

SarahHub said...

Oh, I think I could do this! Thanks for posting the video!

Kelli said...

I have just recently made time to learn how to can, make homemade jams, etc. This video was a big help. I think I can do this!

miriama said...

I make freezer jam every summer and then wish I had made more because I end up giving so much away. Do I want to tell them how easy it is to make or do I like all the compliments? Guess. LOL This year I taught my 13-year-old how and she is loving all the praise. Your video reminded me of how years ago a friend of my mom's made strawberry rhubarb pie. I should see if I can find that..I haven't had rhubarb since I was a kid.

Stephanie Appleton said...

wanna trade? blackberry for strawberry? :)

jubilee said...

Who knew canning jam could be so easy? I might even give it a go. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Love that jam...it is so easy and the tastiest BY FAR!

Jena Webber said...

Thanks for the excellent tutorial. This looks really good.