Comments on: Time to jam http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/ Growing things in Zone 4 and more Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:47:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Deanna http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8537 Deanna Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:42:44 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8537 I got those same jars at Super Target. I got those same jars at Super Target.

]]> By: WeirdAuntMartha http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8493 WeirdAuntMartha Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:17:52 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8493 Hello everyone! I'm a little late to this discussion, but that pretty much seems to be my thing =) I had never canned prior to 2006. When my mom passed away, I desperately needed something to occupy my mind (plus, she had more tomatoes growing than I knew what to do with and my siblings wanted none). So I started on jams. Strawberry rhubarb, strawberry, peach, lime pineapple, rhubarb/blueberry/cherry, plus grape jelly (which I would never recommend tackling WITHOUT a food mill). Just yesterday, I made 14 half pints of jam. I give them away to most anyone who will take them - and then people want to buy them from me (I always refuse, giving them a few jars instead of selling). Since mom passed away and my brother and his family live in our childhood home now, I get almost all the rhubarb (I have to fight off the nearly 80 year old woman next door ;). My favorite recipe is extremely easy, and wildly popular. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rhubarb-Strawberry-Jam/Detail.aspx Last weekend, I was at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market at 12:40 (they close at 1:00). There was a vendor desperately trying to rid himself of blackberries. I ended up with 20 pints of blackberries for $6. I had to pick through and throw some of them away, but I still ended up with about 11 pints of jam. Sadly, I'm no expert...this batch failed to set up. No problem! It can now be used for syrup, used to flavor drinks or vinaigrettes. In fact, many jam recipes, even when they work out make tasty ice cream toppings, fillings for cookies, cakes, pastries, and awesome vinaigrettes!. Happy canning!! Hello everyone! I’m a little late to this discussion, but that pretty much seems to be my thing =) I had never canned prior to 2006. When my mom passed away, I desperately needed something to occupy my mind (plus, she had more tomatoes growing than I knew what to do with and my siblings wanted none). So I started on jams. Strawberry rhubarb, strawberry, peach, lime pineapple, rhubarb/blueberry/cherry, plus grape jelly (which I would never recommend tackling WITHOUT a food mill). Just yesterday, I made 14 half pints of jam. I give them away to most anyone who will take them - and then people want to buy them from me (I always refuse, giving them a few jars instead of selling).

Since mom passed away and my brother and his family live in our childhood home now, I get almost all the rhubarb (I have to fight off the nearly 80 year old woman next door ;). My favorite recipe is extremely easy, and wildly popular. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rhubarb-Strawberry-Jam/Detail.aspx

Last weekend, I was at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market at 12:40 (they close at 1:00). There was a vendor desperately trying to rid himself of blackberries. I ended up with 20 pints of blackberries for $6. I had to pick through and throw some of them away, but I still ended up with about 11 pints of jam. Sadly, I’m no expert…this batch failed to set up. No problem! It can now be used for syrup, used to flavor drinks or vinaigrettes. In fact, many jam recipes, even when they work out make tasty ice cream toppings, fillings for cookies, cakes, pastries, and awesome vinaigrettes!.

Happy canning!!

]]> By: laura http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8444 laura Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:11:49 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8444 my mom and i made a wonderful batch of low sugar strawberry jam this year. our recipe used the low sugar pectin, 7 cups of strawberries, 3 cups of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. it gelled up nice and tastes so fabulous it wont last very long! we also made regular strawberry jam and strawberry rhubarb. my mom and i made a wonderful batch of low sugar strawberry jam this year. our recipe used the low sugar pectin, 7 cups of strawberries, 3 cups of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. it gelled up nice and tastes so fabulous it wont last very long! we also made regular strawberry jam and strawberry rhubarb.

]]> By: MaggieM http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8435 MaggieM Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:21:50 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8435 Well I made jam for the first time on Sunday. I bought the jars and pectin at Cub. I didn't buy any of the other special equipment- figured if it turned out, I would make the investment at the end of the summer when it goes on sale, or keep my eye out at garage sales. I used the big stock pot I already owned and put a big metal jar lid in the bottom to keep the canning jars off the bottom of the pot. I lifted the jars out with long tongs I use for grilling. I made the triple berry from the Sure Jell website- Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry. Opened the first jar this morning on my bagel- yummm. Well I made jam for the first time on Sunday. I bought the jars and pectin at Cub. I didn’t buy any of the other special equipment- figured if it turned out, I would make the investment at the end of the summer when it goes on sale, or keep my eye out at garage sales. I used the big stock pot I already owned and put a big metal jar lid in the bottom to keep the canning jars off the bottom of the pot. I lifted the jars out with long tongs I use for grilling.

I made the triple berry from the Sure Jell website- Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry. Opened the first jar this morning on my bagel- yummm.

]]> By: Cindy http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8428 Cindy Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:07:25 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8428 Val- The sweetness of the fruit marvels alot of spices. Grilled peppers with plums and white pepper with cherries served on pancakes or chicken. You have to play around with it. Try grilling chicken (weber style) and use the bluebery mix like steak sauce. It works well if you reduce the berries water content by simmering on low in a fry pan. let me know how you like it. Val- The sweetness of the fruit marvels alot of spices. Grilled peppers with plums and white pepper with cherries served on pancakes or chicken. You have to play around with it. Try grilling chicken (weber style) and use the bluebery mix like steak sauce. It works well if you reduce the berries water content by simmering on low in a fry pan. let me know how you like it.

]]> By: Robyn Dochterman http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8425 Robyn Dochterman Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:53:33 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8425 Oh, I bet you're right, Deb W! Oh, I bet you’re right, Deb W!

]]> By: Deb W http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8424 Deb W Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:48:44 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8424 The watery jelly may not be a shortage of reduction it may also be a lack of acid in the mulberries. You could try a tablespoon of lemon juice to get the pectin in the berries to jell things up, the recipe on box will call for vinegar or lemon juice to be added as the natural amount varies widely. The watery jelly may not be a shortage of reduction it may also be a lack of acid in the mulberries. You could try a tablespoon of lemon juice to get the pectin in the berries to jell things up, the recipe on box will call for vinegar or lemon juice to be added as the natural amount varies widely.

]]> By: Robyn Dochterman http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8423 Robyn Dochterman Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:33:26 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8423 Way to go, Brian! Silas, I'd love to make mulberry jam, but my own mulberry trees are too young to bear. If anyone has a mulberry tree with good mulberries in their yard, let's make a mulberries for jam trade! BTW, you might be able to cook the jam a bit longer and kind of reduce it so it's not so watery. Way to go, Brian!

Silas, I’d love to make mulberry jam, but my own mulberry trees are too young to bear. If anyone has a mulberry tree with good mulberries in their yard, let’s make a mulberries for jam trade! BTW, you might be able to cook the jam a bit longer and kind of reduce it so it’s not so watery.

]]> By: Silas http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8422 Silas Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:35:21 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8422 Hoping to make mulberry jam this year, if I get enough time. It usually comes out watery, but I don't mind much; makes it easier to spread on toast. Hoping to make mulberry jam this year, if I get enough time. It usually comes out watery, but I don’t mind much; makes it easier to spread on toast.

]]> By: Kris http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8421 Kris Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:20:20 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8421 Just made some strawberry freezer jam this weekend. Our girls love to put it on their oatmeal instead of sugar. Just made some strawberry freezer jam this weekend. Our girls love to put it on their oatmeal instead of sugar.

]]> By: Brian http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8420 Brian Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:21:20 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8420 Oops, make that 5 cups sugar. Oops, make that 5 cups sugar.

]]> By: Brian http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8419 Brian Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:20:34 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8419 Made my first batch ever yesterday. Wife and kids loved it. Not that hard and quite rewarding! Took the kids out to the patch last Friday, had fun through the whole process. Betty Crocker cookbook. 8 cups of berries, 8 cups sugar, 2 tbsp. lemon juice. Made my first batch ever yesterday. Wife and kids loved it. Not that hard and quite rewarding! Took the kids out to the patch last Friday, had fun through the whole process. Betty Crocker cookbook. 8 cups of berries, 8 cups sugar, 2 tbsp. lemon juice.

]]> By: Stella http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8418 Stella Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:03:33 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8418 If you find an awesome deal on flats of fresh berries and its too hot to can, freeze fruit until the weather is cooler and you aren't raising energy costs to can and preserve. Craigslist is worth a look for jars and canning supplies. If you find an awesome deal on flats of fresh berries and its too hot to can, freeze fruit until the weather is cooler and you aren’t raising energy costs to can and preserve.
Craigslist is worth a look for jars and canning supplies.

]]> By: Michele http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8417 Michele Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:47:57 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8417 I saw a canning kettle at the Unique thrift store on 37th Ave last weekend, as well as 3 food dehydrators (one good one), and one pressure canner (which would need a new pressure gauge and gasket). The fancy Rainbow store in Roseville on Larpenteur had those jars that are in the photo. I saw a canning kettle at the Unique thrift store on 37th Ave last weekend, as well as 3 food dehydrators (one good one), and one pressure canner (which would need a new pressure gauge and gasket). The fancy Rainbow store in Roseville on Larpenteur had those jars that are in the photo.

]]> By: Valentino http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8415 Valentino Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:30:39 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8415 Cindy says: July 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm P.S Sage is a great spice to mix with Blueberries! Cindy, say more, please! Val Cindy says:

July 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

P.S Sage is a great spice to mix with Blueberries!

Cindy, say more, please!

Val

]]> By: Robyn Dochterman http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8414 Robyn Dochterman Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:22:04 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8414 Rowland, I'm losing my crop of currants to my chickens this year because I stupidly picked one and fed it to the rooster as a treat. But the other chickens observed and imitated. I also watched a catbird devour my elderberry crop. I don't mind sharing. But I would've liked to have had some! Rowland, I’m losing my crop of currants to my chickens this year because I stupidly picked one and fed it to the rooster as a treat. But the other chickens observed and imitated. I also watched a catbird devour my elderberry crop. I don’t mind sharing. But I would’ve liked to have had some!

]]> By: Rowland http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8413 Rowland Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:19:41 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8413 I have five pounds of heritage rasberries in deep freeze (minus 20) right now from last fall. I mow the canes for one crop. I just finished buying the equipment - I should have bought the ball kit mentioned as my 'surely big enough' 5 gallon stock pot I used for making beer was just that tiny amount too narrow for the jar rack so I ended up spending more than I needed too. Wish I had known robins liked currants.. I lost my first year crop to them... I have five pounds of heritage rasberries in deep freeze (minus 20) right now from last fall. I mow the canes for one crop. I just finished buying the equipment - I should have bought the ball kit mentioned as my ’surely big enough’ 5 gallon stock pot I used for making beer was just that tiny amount too narrow for the jar rack so I ended up spending more than I needed too. Wish I had known robins liked currants.. I lost my first year crop to them…

]]> By: Robyn Dochterman http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8412 Robyn Dochterman Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:40:48 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8412 I've read about people using half honey and half sugar without an adjustment. Honey is sweeter than sugar, however, so you might want to not swap out the whole amount. I’ve read about people using half honey and half sugar without an adjustment. Honey is sweeter than sugar, however, so you might want to not swap out the whole amount.

]]> By: Shawn http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8411 Shawn Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:33:35 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8411 Anyone ever swap the sugar for honey? I'd sure like to make raspberry jam with my own honey if it's possible. Anyone ever swap the sugar for honey? I’d sure like to make raspberry jam with my own honey if it’s possible.

]]> By: Robyn Dochterman http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8410 Robyn Dochterman Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:32:55 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/greengirls/2009/07/07/time-to-jam/#comment-8410 BG, What do you do with tomato jam? Songgrrl, where are you that you have plums/peaches/nectarines now? I'm jealous! cola, to be honest, I used the recipe that comes with pectin. A lot of people like to make jam without pectin, but I like to use it because my fruit doesn't have to cook down so much. I think it tastes fresher. I use Certo liquid pectin, which you can get at almost any grocery store. There are recipes in the box for about two dozen kinds of fruit jams and jellies. BG, What do you do with tomato jam?

Songgrrl, where are you that you have plums/peaches/nectarines now? I’m jealous!

cola, to be honest, I used the recipe that comes with pectin. A lot of people like to make jam without pectin, but I like to use it because my fruit doesn’t have to cook down so much. I think it tastes fresher. I use Certo liquid pectin, which you can get at almost any grocery store. There are recipes in the box for about two dozen kinds of fruit jams and jellies.

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