Old Fashioned Strawberry Jam
Our strawberries have provided an abundant yield, so I thought it would be fun to share my favorite strawberry recipes throughout the week. Today I’ll begin with our favorite old fashioned strawberry jam. Using only three ingredients (no pectin required!), this jam is simplicity at its best. Whether you choose to spread it over hot buttered toast at breakfast, or on your kiddos PB&J, this delicious jam is sure to satisfy all.
Farmer boy had a delightful time helping to pick the strawberries and then mashing them for me when we were ready to turn them into jam. One of my favorite things about living on a farm is working side by side as a family and then reaping the harvest with our own two hands. I cherish the path that God has put us on here at the farm and am beyond thankful for the opportunities it provides to all of us, but especially to our son. I want him to see the literal sowing and reaping and how that applies not only to farm life, but in our day in and day out of being faithful in the small things. I want him to know the value of hard work and learn that at the end of the day, it always pays off.
Speaking of hard work…I would say that other than the picking of the strawberries, the hulling is the most difficult part. Not because it’s “hard to do,” but because of the time it takes to do it. Fortunately, when I hulled mine out, my best friend was here so I was able to finish them over good conversation while our kids played in the yard. Another great option to help pass the time would be to listen to a Podcast, or an audio-book as a family if you’re children are old enough to properly handle a knife and help. I hope you and yours will enjoy this beautiful and scrumptious jam as much as we do around our own farm table. Enjoy!
Old Fashioned Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 12 cups strawberries (rinsed and hulled)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 6 1/2 cups sugar (I prefer raw sugar)
Instructions
- Wash and hull strawberries.
- Using canning tongs, place jars and bands into boiling water for 5 minutes to sterilize. Use canning tongs to remove. *Caution* Jars are hot! Use proper safety precautions.
- While jars are sterilizing, mash strawberries in a large pot. Add lemon juice and sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Bring to a boil, stirring frequently as to not scorch sugar.
- Simmer on a low boil for 20 minutes. To determine if jam is set, place a metal spoon in freezer before you begin making jam. Dip the frozen spoon into jam and if it runs off the spoon rapidly, it needs more time to boil. You will know it's set when little to no jam runs off the spoon.
- Ladle jam into warm jars, filling to 1/4 inch from the top. With a damp towel, wipe the rims of jars clean. Place lids on first, then screw on bands until finger tight. *Caution* Jars will be very hot. Use proper safety precautions.
- Using canning tongs, immerse jars into water bath making sure water covers tops by 1 inch. Allow to boil for 10 minutes.
- Turn off heat and allow 5 minutes before removing jars with canning tongs. *Caution* Jars will be very hot. Use proper safety precautions.
- Place jars onto thick pot holders in a draft free area and allow to cool and set overnight. Check lids to ensure they all sealed. If any fail to seal, refrigerate jars and enjoy this jam first.