How to Make Blueberry Jam

Blueberry jam is a sweet and tangy way to make use of summer's bounty. It's delicious in sandwiches, on toast or pancakes, or served over ice cream. It's a relatively simple job to make enough blueberry jam to last through the winter.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups ripe blueberries, crushed
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 pkg. fruit pectin
• 2 cups sugar
• Small canning jars with lids
• 3 cups blueberries, crushed, with stems removed
• 5 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 box pectin
• Plastic freezer containers with lids

Instructions

Blueberry Jam

1. Measure exactly 2 cups of sugar into a bowl and set it aside.

2. Crush the blueberries a few at a time, and measure 4 cups of berries into a large saucepan.

3. Stir the fruit pectin into the blueberries and stir it over high heat until it comes to a full boil. Boil the mixture hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

4. Add the sugar and stir as you bring the mixture to a full boil again. Continue to boil the mixture, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

5. Remove the blueberry mixture from the burner and skim off the foam with a metal spoon.

6. Ladle the blueberry jam into hot jars, leaving 1/8 inch empty at the top.

7. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Remove them and allow them to cool.

No-Cook Freezer Blueberry Jam

1. Wash the freezer containers and rinse them in boiling water.

2. Place the crushed blueberries and lemon juice into a large mixing bowl.

3. Measure exactly 5¼ cups of sugar into a separate bowl, and then add it to the fruit. Set it aside for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Combine the pectin and the water in a small saucepan at high heat and bring it to a boil. Stir and boil the mixture for 1 minute. Stir in the blueberry mixture and continue stirring steadily for 3 minutes.

5. Fill the freezer containers with jam, leaving ½ inch of space at the top. Wipe the edges with a clean towel and put the lids on securely.

6. Let the containers sit at room temperature for 24 hours before placing them in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make spiced blueberry jam by stirring in ¼ tsp. of cloves, cinnamon and allspice to fruit when you add the lemon juice.