Spiced Cherry Jam Food

SPICED CHERRY JAM, SMALL BATCH

Steps:

• Pit cherries, then process cherries and their juice in a food processor or chop finely by hand.
• Pour cherries and lemon juice into a non-reactive saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Stir in cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
• Gradually stir in pectin with a whisk. Bring mixture to a full boil, stirring constantly.
• Add in the sugar, stirring to dissolve.
• Return to a boil, boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim foam from top with a slotted spoon.
• Pour carefully into 4 oz. jars.
• Wipe rims of jars, place lids on and screw bands on just finger tight.
• Process sealed jars in a hot water bath canner for 10 minutes to seal.
• Place jars onto a dishcloth-covered countertop or cutting board to cool.
• Do not move the jars until they are cooled.
• After they are cooled, test the seals by pressing the center of lid with your finger. If the lids springs up when you lift your finger, it is NOT sealed. Refrigerate any unsealed jars of jam and use them within a few days. Sealed jars are good stored in a dry place for up to a year.

OVER-THE-TOP CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a food processor, cover and process cherries in batches until finely chopped. Transfer to a Dutch oven; stir in pectin and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. , Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 6 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

SPICED CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the cherries in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Sprinkle with pectin over the cherries followed by the star anise, nutmeg, lemon juice and vinegar.
• Once the cherries start to release their liquid in the bottom of pan, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
• Lower heat and boil gently for five minutes occasionally mashing mixture.
• Mash in sugar, add the water, and return to a boil until the mixture reaches gel point. The frozen plate method works well for testing doneness.
• Process the jam using the hot water method for 10 minutes, or refrigerate and enjoy over the next week or so.

SWEET CHERRY JAM WITH SPICES AND RED WINE

Steps:

• Inspect 6 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Pit and finely chop cherries; measure out 3 1/2 cups. Combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl. Place cinnamon and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie together to make a spice bag. Add to the pot with the cherries, and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
• Add the cherries with all the liquid, spice bag, and the pectin in a large heavy saucepan. Slowly bring it to a boil. Stir in red wine. Slowly return mixture to a full rolling boil over high heat. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Skim off any foam with a ladle or a large spoon.
• Remove pot from the heat. Remove and discard the spice bag. Ladle cherry jam immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly 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 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

SWEET CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a pot, mix cherries, pectin, lemon juice and lemon zest.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Add sugar, stir to combine.
• Bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, skim foam.
• Ladle into hot sterilized 8 oz jars, leave 1/4" head space. Wipe rims and add lids.
• Process jars in water bath for your recomended altitude.

SURE.JELL CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Stem and pit cherries. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 4 cups of the prepared cherries into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into fruit mixture in saucepot. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and extract. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)