This past Sunday, on our weekly drive along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), we stopped to buy berries at one of the berry trucks parked alongside it. We ended up with a huge box of the sweetest and most succulent strawberries that were definitely on the ripe side. We picked out the ones that were ready to eat and realized we couldn’t possibly finish them all before they went bad. So, I decided to finally learn how to make strawberry freezer jam and it’s sooooo easy! Why have I never made it before?!
I sensibly realized I could also turn this into a quarantine home-economics lesson for my girls to get a little more bang for my buck. We used this recipe and it is SO good! We had enough strawberries to make two batches of this scrumptious jam. They split the steps of the recipe between the two of them so they each had a chance to go through the whole process (if you can call five steps a process!). We had so much fun and I love that they not only have a better appreciation for making jam but also that they can always find ways to use produce so it doesn’t go to waste.
Step 1 – clean and dice 2 cups of strawberries
step 2 – add 3 cups of sugar, stir and rest for 10 minutes
NOTE: I used three cups of sugar instead of four. The berries are so sweet and adding double the amount of sugar to the strawberries just seemed wrong. The jam still set up beautifully but would probably be more solid had we added the extra cup of sugar. But you won’t miss it, it’s so sweet and delicious this way, not to mention healthier.
step 3 – combine 3/4 water & Pectin and bring to boil for 1 minute
step 4 – add pectin mixture to strawberry mixture, stir and mash until sugar is dissolved
pour mixture into measuring cup to make filling jars easier
step 5 – pour into jars (leaving 1/2 inch room at top)
allow jars to rest at room temperature for 24 hours
make lots of toast with butter & jam!
This really is the most scrumptious strawberry freezer jam. Perfectly sweet without being too sweet. In the freezer, the jam will last up to 1 year. Once you take it out, store in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks. I’m guessing it won’t last that long…it’s too delicious!
We plan on giving a few jars away to friends and neighbors so we added a simple raffia ribbon to the jar and will leave on doorsteps. What do you think…will you try it? Isn’t it so much easier than you thought? Let me know if you do. Stay safe and healthy everyone.
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