Easy Homemade Blackberry Jam Recipe My Frugal Adventures from myfrugaladventures.com
Introduction
Making homemade jam is a fun and easy way to enjoy the flavors of your favorite fruits all year round. Whether you prefer strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry, making your own jam is a great way to preserve the natural taste of fresh fruit while avoiding the added preservatives and artificial flavors found in store-bought versions.
Ingredients
To make homemade jam, you'll need the following ingredients:
Fruit (fresh or frozen)
Sugar
Pectin
Lemon juice
Instructions
Here's how to make homemade jam: 1. Start by washing and preparing your fruit. Remove any stems, leaves, and seeds, and cut the fruit into small pieces. 2. In a large pot, combine the fruit, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix well and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve. 3. Turn the heat on to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. 4. While the fruit is simmering, prepare your jars and lids by washing them in hot, soapy water and sterilizing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. 5. After the fruit has simmered for 10 minutes, add the pectin to the pot and stir well. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a full boil, stirring constantly. 6. Boil the mixture for 1 minute, then remove it from the heat and skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface. 7. Ladle the hot jam into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any spills or drips. 8. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands, tightening them just until they're snug. Don't overtighten, or the jars may break during processing. 9. Place the jars in a boiling water canner and process them for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary). Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool on a wire rack for 24 hours. 10. After the jars have cooled, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid stays down and doesn't spring back, the jar is properly sealed. If the lid pops back, the jar isn't sealed and should be refrigerated and used within a few weeks.
Nutrition
Homemade jam is a sweet treat, but it's important to keep in mind that it's also high in sugar. A 1 tablespoon serving of homemade jam contains about 50 calories and 12 grams of sugar. To reduce the sugar content, you can use a low-sugar or no-sugar pectin, or substitute some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup.
Conclusion
Making homemade jam is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy the flavors of your favorite fruits all year round. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic equipment, you can create delicious, preservative-free jam that's perfect for spreading on toast, muffins, or scones. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious homemade jam can be!
