Canned Plum Jam Food

CANNED PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare jars as described in General Rules.
• Combine plums, sugar, lemonjuice, and salt in a stockpot overhigh heat. Bring to a boil,mashing with a potato masher.Skim scum off top.
• Boil, skimming and stirring frequently,until bubbles slow, youcan see chunks of fruit showingthrough top, and mixtureclings to a spoon, falling offin languid clumps, 10 to 12 minutes.Pick up and discard skinswith a fork, if desired.
• Lift jars out of hot water oneat a time, draining water. (See General Rules for how-to's.) Ladlehot jam into hot jars using awide-mouth funnel, leaving1/2-inch headspace. Slide a nonmetallicspatula or chopstickbetween jam and jar to releasetrapped air bubbles.
• Wipe rim and threads of jarwith a clean, damp cloth. Removelid from hot water. Placelid on jar. Screw band downevenly and firmly, just until resistanceis met. Place in cannerand lower into water.
• Put lid on canner. Bring waterto a boil. Start keeping time afterwater comes to a rolling boil.Process 1/2 pints 10 minutes at agentle but steady boil.
• Turn off heat and remove cannerlid. Let canner cool 5 minutes,then remove jars and set themupright on a dry towel or rack.Do not retighten bands. Let jarscool 12 to 24 hours.
• After jars have cooled, checklids for a good vacuum seal by pressing on center of each. If center is pulled down and does not flex, remove band and gently try to lift lid off with your fingertips. If lid does not flex and you cannot lift it off, seal is set. Wipe lid and jarsurface with a clean, damp clothto remove food particles andresidue. Label. Store jars in acool, dry, dark place.

PLUM JAM W/CANNING DIRECTIONS

Steps:

• Wash and pit plums. Leave skin on.
• Crush plums in food processor, chopper, or blender. There may be some foam. It's okay to have some fruit chunks.
• Stir the plums and sugar together in a deep, large pot and slowly (to reduce foaming) bring it to a boil at 220 degrees and boil for 15 -20 minutes.
• Skim off foam.
• While the plums are boiling, disinfect the canning jars and lids in boiling water. This will also help to soften the gel rim of the lids.
• Fill the jars to 1/4 inch from the top and seal tightly.
• Give the jars a 10-15 minute water bath in boiling water.
• Remove from the water and allow to cool overnight in a draft-free area. Jars should not be touching. You will hear the lids pop as they cool and seal.
• Test the seal in the morning. You should not be able to "pop" it up and down. If any jars do not seal, store in the fridge and use those first! (You can use a new lid and give it another water bath too.).
• Sealed jars should be good for 6 months to a year.

PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place the plums and water into a large pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar, and add butter to reduce foaming, if needed. Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly, and then mix in the pectin quickly. Return the jam to a full boil, and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and skim off and discard any foam.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the plum jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/8 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area. Refrigerate opened jars for up to 3 weeks.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the boiling water canner before starting to cook your jam. (Fill the canner/stockpot at least half full of enough clean, warm water so the level will be at least 1" over the top of the filled jars once they're added).
• Wash, pit and chop plums w/ skins.
• Wash and crush blackberries w/ potato masher.
• Place plums and crushed blackberries in large pot.
• Add pectin a little at a time to plums and berries, stirring constantly.
• Heat on high stirring constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil.
• Add sugar ALL at once, stirring.
• Bring mixture back to a full hard boil, stirring constantly.
• Use potato masher to carefully further crush plums and berries in pot.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Skim off foam, if present.
• Place in sterilized, hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe edges of jars with clean cloth, place lids and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes at sea level (over 1000 feet, add one minute of processing for each 1000 feet in altitude).
• Remove from water and place jars on a cloth-protected counter or cooling rack to cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Remove rings from sealed jars and store; put any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use first.