Monday, October 27, 2008

Christmas Jam


I am one of those people who holds true to the notion that all things Christmas should be set aside until the day after Thanksgiving. That's quite a test when both kids are practicing Christmas music for their recitals and jamborees and I am being bombarded with irrisistable Christmas fabric from the quilt shop. Alas, I gave in this weekend and made a double batch of my Christmas Jam. So these photos are for you dear friends - I had to force myself to set up this little display, but what are friends for?

This stuff is so easy and we look forward to it each year. I try to make enough to last all year, but it never seems to last that long because I enjoy sharing it with my friends!

CHRISTMAS JAM

2- 20 oz packages of whole strawberries or 2 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries (I used fresh)

1 lb fresh or frozen cranberries

5 pounds sugar (this is A LOT of sugar! I use about 3 pounds per batch -we like it kind of tart, and yes, that's STILL a lot of sugar!)

2 pouches (3 oz each) of liquid pectin

*Grind strawberries and cranberries in a food processor; place in a large kettle. Add sugar, Bring to a full rolling boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add pectin. Cool for 5 minutes; skim off foam. Pour hot into jars. Adjust caps and process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield: about 7 pints.

I was short a few strawberries this time so I just dumped in some frozen blackberries and loved the end product! This morning I realized that 1/2 of the first jar has disappeared!

8 comments:

Ranch wife said...

Can't wait to give it a whirl, looks delish.

~M~

Cow Pies & Mud Pies said...

That looks awesome! I just finished "gussying" up my jars of chow chow and apple butter for our church bazaar in a few weeks. They make great little gifts!
Your zucchini bread looks wonderful. Bread of about any kind is a downfall for me. I just love it!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Strawberries, cranberries and blackberries? Oh, YUM! Sounds, and looks, delicious. I'm such a nut about blackberries that I'd probably make them a standard ingredient. Thanks for the recipe.

agent713 said...

I maintain that's why Canadians have it better. Thanksgiving was over and done with two weeks ago. ON TO CHRISTMAS!!!

Oh, and the jam looks yummy :)

cottonpicker said...

If I waited till the day after Thanksgiving, I would never get Christmas done!!! Your jam looks wonderful!!!!!

Maria said...

Wish I had some of that jam on my toast this morning!!Looks fab & can only imagine that it taste double fab! I am with you we need to enjoy one holiday at a time. I love Thanksgiving time!
His,
Maria

Paula said...

I had great intentions last year of having all Christmas decorating done the date after Thanksgiving - I ended up starting about three days before Christmas. I will do better this year because I am in the mood right now! I've even done some shopping!

Ranch Wife said...

Ranch Wife - well, one of these jars has your name on it.

Brazle - well thanks to you and Ranch Wife, I am in full chow chow mode today! The house has been cleared because no-one likes the smell, but gosh we sure do love to eat it!

Pat - you're welcome! I think next year I'll use equal amounts of each fruit. Amazing how much better it tastes when it's homemade!

Maria - wish you were here to share some with me! You my dear, are a fabulous cook so I want to start seeing some recipes on your blog!

Broken Y - well, I will admit to making some gifts early this year. It is hard to get it all done in a month.

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