Strawberry Jam Ball Bernardin Food

STRAWBERRY JAM (BALL / BERNARDIN)

Steps:

• If using fresh strawberries, wash them, and hull them.
• Mash the strawberries a layer at a time in something like a pie plate using something like a potato masher.
• You should end up with around 1 litre (4 cups / 32 oz) of mashed strawberries. A tidge under or over is fine.
• Put in a large stainless steel pot.
• Add the water.
• Add the pectin and stir till the pectin is dissolved.
• Put on a burner.
• If using SUGAR or SPLENDA: Bring to a full rolling boil over the heat and when it reaches that point, start timing 1 minute. Add in sugar or Splenda, bring back to a boil that you can't stir down, and boil for 1 minute after that point. Remove from heat.
• If using STEVIA: Bring to a full rolling boil over the heat and when it reaches that point, start timing 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add stevia to taste.
• Should it start to gel before this time is up, remove from heat, you're done.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim off any foam, if there is any.
• Ladle into 125 ml (4 oz) or quarter-litre (1/2 US pint / 8 oz) jars.
• Leave 1 cm (1/4 inch) headspace.
• Debubble, adjust headspace.
• Wipe jar rims.
• Put lids on.
• Process in a water bath or steam canner.
• Process either size jars for 10 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.

FRESH STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a very cold plate. (I keep one in the freezer.) Pour carefully into 2 pint canning jars and either seal or keep refrigerated. Use immediately, or follow proper canning guidelines below.
• Sterilizing Tips:
• Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum seal when processed.
• To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Leave in a preheated 175 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Or, boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15 minutes.
• Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from either boiling water or the oven. Be sure the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes.
• As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your hands.
• After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned products.