How to Successfully Make Freezer Jam
One of the pleasures of summer is the bounty of fresh fruit and berries. Freezer jam is a delicious and simple way to savor the taste of summer without all the heat and work involved in traditional canning. The varieties are endless, but the process is easy, requiring only a few ingredients and little time. Since the fruit is never cooked, it retains its flavor, tasting remarkably like fresh fruit, a perfect complement to a hot biscuit or a piece of homemade bread.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 cups mashed fruit
- 5 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 package powdered pectin
- Large glass mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Plastic containers with tight fitting lids
Instructions
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Making the Jam
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1
Mash the berries. A potato masher works well and leaves some of the fruit in pieces. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can pulse the berries in a food processor. Be sure to use the best fruit available. If it is too ripe, or not fully ripe, it will affect the quality and flavor of the jam. Place the mashed fruit in a large glass mixing bowl.
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2
Add the sugar to the fruit mixture. Let it stand for 20 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve. Always use the correct amount of sugar to ensure that the jam will set properly. The sugar is also important for inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
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3
Pour 1 cup of water into a saucepan. Empty a package of powdered pectin into the water and stir with a spoon, dissolving the pectin. Place the pan over a high flame and and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for exactly 1 minute. The pectin is what makes the jam jell or set.
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4
Pour the pectin mixture into the fruit mixture. Let it sit for 3 minutes.
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5
Ladle the jam into clean plastic containers with tight lids. Leave a 1/2 inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Wipe away any drips on the outside of the containers and leave them on the counter to cool.
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6
Place the cooled jam in the freezer.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Freezer jam stores well in the freezer for up to a year. Once opened, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
Never leave your freezer jam at room temperature for long periods of time. It will spoil.
References
Resources
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