Christmas Jam

[Eleanor Rose]

(Public Domain)​

In the days before refrigeration, an entire growing season's worth of fruit was preserved to enjoy throughout the winter. Favorite fruits were mixed with sugar to create jams which likely brightened many a morning's breakfast. Christmas jam is a popular gift in my neck of the woods. You can purchase it at most Farmer's Markets, but it's always extra special if you make it yourself. There are lots of variations on the recipe, but this one is simple to make. Feel free to make it your own by adding a little more of this or that to get the taste that you really like.

Ingredients:
12 Oz Cranberries (fresh or frozen, thaw first if frozen)
1 Orange, peeled and sectioned
2 t Orange Zest, from the peel
16 Oz Fresh or Frozen Strawberries (thaw if you use frozen)
1/4 t Ground Cloves
1/4 t Ground Cinnamon
1/4 t Allspice
4 C Sugar, pure cane is best
1 Package Powder Fruit Pectin
1/2 C Water

Directions:
Place cranberries and sectioned orange into a blender. You just want them coarsely chopped.

Add in the strawberries, orange zest and spices. Stir a bit in the blender to make sure they get mixed a little. Blend until everything is chopped fine. You don't want it pureed.

Stir fruit mixture and water together in a 5 qt stock pot.

Stir in fruit pectin and add your 1/2 teaspoon of butter (this reduces foaming).

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stir constantly.

Add sugar to the mixture. Return to full rolling boil. Boil exactly 1 minute.

Remove from heat. Skim off any foam.

Move hot jam into prepared containers.

 

[JOHN42768]

All that is missing is the toasted English muffin to spread it upon

 

[donna]

Thanks for all the recipes. Enjoy them so much.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Thanks for all the recipes. Enjoy them so much.

My pleasure Donna. I love to contribute to the Food Forum when time allows. This is a lovely forum with some great folks who share and uplift one another.