Jammin'

Last Friday I went to Putman Farms out in Kinston to pick my own strawberries with a friend. It was definitely a fun experience. I would love to do it again. I picked 2 flats of strawberries and decided to turn the majority of them into strawberry jam. I've never made jam before so it was an adventure.

Step one sterilize your jars. I boiled mine for a couple minutes each then set them out to dry.

While the jars are sterilizing wash and hull your strawberries. I would have done anything for a strawberry huller.

Next mash your strawberries with a potato masher. I left some partial strawberries so there would be lumps in my jam because that's how I roll.

Next measure you strawberry mash into your pot and add your pectin (I used surejel). It called for 5c strawberry mash to 7c sugar.

Bring your mix to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Boil for 1 minute. Add sugar and return to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute.

Remove from heat immediately and skim off the foamy stuff.

Ladle your strawberry jam into your jars. I used a fancy jar funnel thingy that came with the canning set I bought.

Once your jars are full place them in a pot with boiling water that goes one to two inches over the jar lids and gently boil for 10 minutes.

Tada! 30 jars of jam!

Now off to pet the cute helper who sat on my feet during most of the canning process!

Strawberry Jam!

1. Sterilize your jars. I boiled mine for a couple minutes each then set them out to dry. Place the lids in a pan of HOT water and allow them to stay there while you can.

2. While the jars are sterilizing wash and hull your strawberries.

3. Mash your strawberries with a potato masher. I left some partial strawberries so there would be lumps in my jam because that's how I roll.

4. Measure you strawberry mash into your pot and add your pectin (I used surejel). Also, at this point premeasure your sugar into a bowl. (refer to your pectin for measurements of strawberries and sugar)

5. Bring your mix to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Boil for 1 minute. Add sugar and return to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute.

6. Remove from heat immediately and skim off the foamy stuff.

7. Ladle your strawberry jam into your jars. Place lids on top and tighten the rings.

8. Once your jars are full place them in a pot with boiling water that goes one to two inches over the jar lids and gently boil for 10 minutes.

I have it on good authority that this jam is AMAZING!