Garden Huckleberry Jam Food

WILD HUCKLEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Wash huckleberries and check for stems.
• Place berries and water in deep saucepan or pot.
• Slowly bring to a boil.
• Add the sugar all at once.
• Bring to a roiling boil, then cook for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add the Certo packet and stir for 3-4 minutes.
• Pour into jars (note: do this as quickly as possible- it will start to set almost immediately).
• Seal using method of choice. Boil for 10 min (if your altitude is between 3,000 and 6,000) then let cool.

GARDEN HUCKLEBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Stem, wash and drain huckleberries.
• Place berries in a heavy pot, cover with cold water and bring to a slow boil.
• Cook until soft.
• Drain; mash berries with a potato masher to break their skins.
• Add sugar, nutmeg, salt, butter, lemon juice and cornstarch.
• Cook for about five minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
• Place pastry for bottom crust in pie pan.
• Pour in the berry mixture and dot with butter.
• Cover with top crust, crimping crust edges to seal and piercing top crust all over with a fork to allow steam to escape.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until the crust is a light brown.
• Cool.

HUCKLEBERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Put 2 1/2 cups huckleberries and 1/3 cup water in a blender with the lemon zest. Blend until pureed. Add balance of huckleberries and 1/3 cup water and puree.
• In large stockpot, add pureed huckleberries,pectin,lemon juice and water.
• Stir constantly. Bring to a rolling boil. A boil that cannot be stirred down.
• Stir in Sugar. Stir until dissolved. Bring a full rolling boil. One that cannot be stirred down. Boil 1 minute exactly.
• Stir in margarine.
• Take off heat and skim any foam.
• Pour in hot sterilized jars.
• Wipe rims with a hot cloth and seal and band.
• Put in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.
• Take out on a toweled counter. Keep away from drafts until they seal.

HUCKLEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mix sugar and huckleberries together in a stockpot; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir pectin into berry mixture and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove pot from heat and skim foam off the top using a metal spoon.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack jam into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or 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 and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 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). Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store in a cool, dark area.