Cooking Tips for Summer Jam Recipes

Now as we are in the middle of summer it is a great time to use the fruits and vegetables available to your advantage. Markets are such a great way to go if you are able to do so, and also the grocery stores are filled with fresh local produce. As fruit  is in season it is less expensive now than say in the fall or winter months and therefore a perfect time to take advantage of jarring. When I say jarring I am talking about making home made jam. Using fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and even adding a hint of apple is a great way to take advantage of great local fruit and jar it for the  rest of the year. Using the ripest quality of fruit will really enhance any jam you decide to make. Jam is easy to make, using minimal ingredients and it is so much healthier making it by scratch than buying  in a grocery store. There are recipes everywhere online on how to prepare jam it is simple and easy to make.

Another hint that we have is if you have extra fruit that your not using in your jam recipe grab some freezer bags and freeze the  fruit. This will also last you through the months where fruit is much more expensive and why not freeze it when it is ripe and in season. We do this all the time with so many fruits and it will also save you money along the way.

Try out this simple recipe:

3 pints of strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup raspberries

1 tablespoon of orange liquor

3 1/2 cups of sugar

Rinse fruit well before using and than cut strawberries in half’s or quarters. Please all fruit in a large pot and toss with sugar and liqueur. Bring to a bowl while stirring occasionally. A great tip to make sure your jam reaches the desired temperature is use a thermometer to make sure it is at 220 degrees. This takes around 35 to 40 minutes. After mixture is at the desired temperature turn off jam and let cool at room temperature over night.