Low Sugar Natural Pectin Jam Food

LOW SUGAR NATURAL PECTIN JAM

Steps:

• Place a small saucer in the freezer to chill for later testing of jam thickness. In large deep heavy skillet (preferably NOT non-stick), or your widest heavy-bottom sauce pan, sprinkle cleaned berries or other sliced fruit with 3/4 cup of the sugar. Mash coarsely and let sit 15 minutes to "juice".
• Bring fruit mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil 15 minutes - hard enough to bubble but not splatter, stirring occasionally & skimming any foam off.
• Meanwhile, peel, core & grate apples.
• Stir in apples, lemon juice & remaining 1/4 cup sugar & keep boiling, stirring more often now & scraping bottom of pan to prevent sticking.
• Cook this way until thickened, about 20-45 more minutes (depends on ripeness of fruit, altitude, etc).
• Test by placing a small drop of jam on the chilled plate from the freezer and let it sit a minute; when properly thickened, the jam should not run at all when plate is tilted at a steep angle.
• If not thick enough, let it cook longer -- it will get there eventually!
• Ladle hot jam into half-pint canning jars (they're heat-proof) and put the lids on hand-tight. Because this jam has less sugar, it's best to use half-pint (1 cup) or smaller jars, because it may spoil quicker once opened. You can either store the jars as-is in the freezer once cooled, or you may can them by submerging hot jars immediately in boiling water for 10 minutes.
• If you don't have canning jars, let jam cool in the covered pan until room temperature. Ladle into plastic or other containers (1 cup volume each or smaller), and store in freezer.

LOW SUGAR PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Start by preparing jars and getting water in the canner heating. You want the canner hot, but not boiling, when the jars are ready to be processed.See full water bath canning instructions here.

LOW SUGAR BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Prepare water bath canner. Wash jars and lids thoroughly in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Add jars to canner and cover with water 1 inch above the jars. Let jars sit in hot water until ready to use.
• Pour boiling water over lids and let sit in hot water until ready for use.
• Combine the fruit, juice or water and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil (one that can't be stirred down.), stirring constantly.
• Add sugar, if using. (see notes below) Return mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam, if necessary.
• Ladle hot jam into hot jars. Cool to room temperature, if not canning. Then refrigerate immediately.
• If preserving, ladle hot jam into the hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims clean with paper towel.. Center lids on jars. Apply bands and adjust to fingertip tight.
• Place filled jars in canner ensuring jars are covered by over 1" water. Bring to a gentle, steady boil.
• Process jars for 5 minutes, under 1000 feet, adjusting for altitude. (see notes below) Turn off heat. Let jars rest in hot water for 5 minutes.
• Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down in the center, when pressed. Store jars in a cool place.

STRAWBERRY JAM WITHOUT PECTIN (LESS SUGAR TOO)

Steps:

• Sterilise a couple of jam jars whilst you make your jam : Wash the jars and lids in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Do not dry.
• Wash any silicone/rubber seals (from Kilner jars) separately with hot soapy water and set aside.
• Place the clean jars and their lids (but not the silicone seals from Kilner jars) into a cold oven on a baking tray and turn the oven on to 170 C/325 F/Gas 3.
• Leave at heated oven temperature for at least 20 minutes.
• Once the jars have sterilised, turn off the oven, but leave the jars to cool in the oven, until ready to use.
• Place all the ingredients into a large, heavy-based saucepan and gently heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• Bring the mixture to a boil stirring frequently, breaking down the strawberries with the back of a spoon.
• Use a cooking/jam thermometer and continue to boil, stirring frequently until the liquid reduces significantly and the temperature reaches jam set point (220 F/105 C). Be patient, it will take a while. Let it boil at this temperature for a minute.
• Remove from the heat and carefully pour into the sterilised jars straight away. Top with the lids (being careful not to burn your fingers). As the jam cools, the tightly screwed lids will 'suck in' to create a sterile vacuum.
• Cool completely.

STRAWBERRY JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash the jars, lids and rings with hot, soapy water, making sure to rinse well. To sterilize the jars and keep them hot, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 175°F (79°C) oven OR in your water bath canner while cooking the jam. Place a small glass plate in the freezer.
• In a large bowl, crush the strawberries and stir in the sugar. Let sit for 1 hour to allow the berries to release their juices. (Or up to 24 hours in the fridge.)
• Add the lemon juice and grated apple. Transfer the mixture to a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil that can't be stirred down, set a timer for 20 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Test for doneness - Remove the glass plate from the freezer and drop a spoonful of the hot jam on the plate. Put the plate back into the freezer for 2 minutes. Remove the plate and run your finger through the jam. If the line stays separated, your jam is ready to be jarred. If the line closes, boil the jam for 5 more minutes and repeat the test.
• Ladle the hot strawberry jam into clean, sterilized jars, leaving a 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Remove air bubbles and wipe the rim of the jar to remove any residue. Center the canning lid on the jar and adjust the band to fingertip-tight.
• If not canning, let the jars cool completely, tighten bands and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

LOW SUGAR BLACKBERRY JAM RECIPE EASY CANNING HOW-TO

Steps:

• Begin by filling your large canning pot with water. You will want enough water that it will still cover the jars with 1 inch of water above them once they are placed in there. It's a good idea to start this step early since it takes the longest to come to a gentle boil. This step takes the longest, so begin it right away.
• Once your water is close to a boil, place your glass jars in the water for 10 minutes. After that remove with tongs and place jars on a clean towel. You can also wash the canning jars with hot soapy water, but I prefer to clean them with boiling water to ensure there is no residue left on the glass, and then they are warm and ready to be used.
• Place your lids in a small bowl and cover with hot water for 1 minute, then remove and let the lids air dry at room temperature.
• In a large pot add the blackberries and mash with a potato masher over medium-high heat. In a small bowl mix together the pectin and ¼ cup sugar. Add the pectin-sugar mixture to the blackberries. Bring to a full rolling boil and stir in the remaining amount of sugar. Allow the mixture to thicken for 1 more minute while boiling, and then remove from heat. You can test if the jam will set well by doing the spoon test - dip a spoon into the hot jam and if it does not slide off the spoon right away and shows jam wrinkles when it dries, your jam is at the perfect gel stage.
• Ladle the jam into your prepared jars (use the jar funnel to make it less messy). Wipe the rims down (a clean jar rim is a necessity!), and place your lid on, then screw the ring on next. Don't overtighten the ring.
• Place the jars of jam into the boiling water canner and process for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes remove the jars and allow them to cool on a clean towel. Not too long after you take them out you'll begin to hear popping - that's the jars sealing! After they are completely cool, check to make sure they are all sealed. If you press down on the center of the lid it should not spring back. If it does, refrigerate the jar or use the troubleshooting tips down below.

STRAWBERRY JAM RECIPE WITHOUT PECTIN AND LOW SUGAR

Steps:

• Wash jars and bands in hot soapy water and keep warm. Fill water bath canner with water and put on medium heat.
• Mash berries with a potato masher, blender, or immersion blender to desired consistency. I prefer mine chunky, but my husband likes it more pureed. (Note, liquid or pureed berries take longer to reach the gelling point)
• Place berries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest (or grated apple if using in place of lemon) into large pot. Stir until well combined. Bring berries to a boil. Stir frequently to keep sugar from scorching.
• Simmer on a low boil for 20 minutes.You can test the set of the jam by the sheeting test. Place a metal spoon in the freezer when you begin making your jam.
• After the 20 minutes of boiling, use the chilled metal spoon to ladle out a spoonful of jam. Hold the spoon and watch the way the jam drips off of the spoon. If its little individual drops, jam is not set, if it's big goops, it's almost there. If it comes off the spoon in a sheet or doesn't really drop off at all, then jam is set, yank that baby off the heat.
• Place jars on a dish towel. Fill jars with a ¼ inch from the top with jam. A canning funnel will be your best friend during this part. With a clean damp towel, wipe down rim of jar. Place lids on, then bands, and screw down to finger tight.
• Immerse jars in water bath canner inside the canning rack, making sure water covers the tops of the jars by 1 to 2 inches. Once water is boiling, set timer for 10 minutes and allow jars to process.
• When time is up, turn off heat. Wait 5 minutes and then remove jars from canner. Place on a towel folded in thirds in a draft free area. Allow to cool and set overnight or for at least 12 hours.
• Check seals. If the center of the lid gives, then store in the fridge and eat soon.
• If jars are sealed, wipe down with a damp cloth and store in the pantry out of the light for up to a year

EASY LOW SUGAR NO PECTIN STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Cut the stem off the fresh fruit, being careful not to include any green bits along with the berries.
• Rinse the fruit very thoroughly. This will remove any bits of stem, and remove some of the small hair and fibers on the outside of the fruit.
• As you prepare the fruit, it's okay to use very ripe berries.
• They will taste better and make a better jam. In fact, it's better to have nearly over ripe fruit than just barely ripe.
• The berries are softer, sweeter, and have more natural sugars.
• Add the berries and mash them in batches.
• I usually mash two or three cups at a time, just to make sure I don't miss a berry and end up with an outsized chunk at the end.
• Put the fresh berries in a large, tall cooking pot and add the sugar, lemon juice, and water.
• Bring the mix to a roaring boil on high heat, stirring regularly.
• The boil needs to be strong, one that does not diminish when you stir.
• Maintain this level of boil for at least 20 minutes.
• Stir regularly and watch the heat, turning it down to medium-high heat as the jam thickens to avoid burning.
• When your jam begins to thicken and has reduced by nearly half, you can check to see if it's done.
• Total cooking time is over 30 minutes.
• When you're sure it's set, pour it into sterilized jars, or clean plastic storage containers, and let it cool on the counter.
• Be careful not to spill, as it is very hot and will give you a nasty burn.
• The hot water from the pot should be handled carefully as well.

SUGAR-FREE PLUM JAM WITH NO PECTIN

Steps:

• Chop the plums, removing the pit, and grate the apple.
• Add the fruit to a deep saucepan along with water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger. Then, simmer for 30 minutes while stirring.
• Cook for a further 45 minutes until glossy. Then, blend to a smooth jam before ladling into sterilised jars.

LOW SUGAR STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Prepare water bath canner by filling it with water, and setting it on the stove. Turn the burner to high. Once it reaches a boil, reduce it to simmer. You want to keep the water hot so that everything is ready when the jam is.
• Wash and sanitize your jars. You can fill them with hot water, or place them on a tray in the oven at 200 degrees F.
• Wash your lids and set aside in clean place.
• Rinse the strawberries. Remove the tops and cut in halves or quarters (8 cups total). Place in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
• Heat the fruit over medium heat until the juices start to bubble. At this point, you can mash the fruit with a potato masher, or use an immersion blender (only blend 30% of berries).
• In a small bowl, combine 1/2 tsp calcium powder with 1/2 cup cool water.
• In a separate bowl, combine sugar (1.5 cups) and pectin (2.5 tsp). Set aside. To prevent clumping in the fruit, Pomona's must be mixed with your sweetener before being added to the fruit.
• Add the lemon juice (1/4 cup) and calcium water (2.5 tsp) to the pot with the strawberries, stir.
• Add the sugar/pectin mixture, and bring to a rolling boil. Stir constantly for 3 minutes, turning down the burner to medium if the jam starts popping.
• At this point, turn the burner under the canner back up to high and get that water boiling again.
• Remove the jam pot from heat, and stir gently for 5 more minutes. At the end of the 5 minutes, remove any foam that remains.
• Using the funnel and a ladle, add the jam to your prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Headspace is the amount of room between the top of the food, and the rim of the jar.
• Using a wet clean rag, wipe the rim to make sure there isn't any sticky jam on there.
• Place a clean lid on the jar and then a ring. Tighten the ring to fingertip tight.
• Using canning tongs, add jars to the boiling water, and put the canner lid on. Pro tip: you must have at least 1 inch of water over the tops of the jars for safe canning.
• Process (boil) for 10 minutes.
• Remove the canner from heat, and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars and place them on towels on the counter undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
• After everything has cooled, check the seal by pushing down on the middle of the lid. If it doesn't give way, it's sealed. If the lid bows a little bit, put that in the fridge and use it within 3 weeks.
• Label the sealed jars, and store in a cool dark place for up to a year.