Easy Strawberry Jam

Strawberry jam - is there anything yummier? Growing up, I called it strawberry jelly, and I've also heard it called strawberry preserves. Whatever the name, it's easy to make, and so delicious that you'll not go back to store-bought again.

Strawberries are everywhere and more affordable now than at any other time of the year. We are fortunate enough to have our own strawberry patch, and although I thought my family would never tire of strawberry pie and strawberry shortcake - they have. What to do with the berries that ripen daily? Make strawberry jam!

This is a jam recipe I have made with my mom since I was a child. It is very easy, and it has rarely failed (by "failed" I mean that it hasn't jelled/thickened). On the few times it hasn't jelled, it has made for some yummy strawberry ice cream topping.

Ready? Here we go:

Wash, stem and crush 4 cups of strawberries, or enough to make 2 level cups of fruit puree. Place this into a larger bowl and mix in 4 cups sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix 3/4 cup water and a package of fruit pectin (we use Jel Ease brand and I urge you to look for it: here, it costs .69 per box rather than the $2+ price for many other brands) in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil. Boil hard for 1 minute and then immediately pour this mixture into the fruit. Stir for 3 minutes, and then pour into jars.

Let the jars sit, covered, at room temperature for 24 hours. Store jam in the refrigerator, where it will keep for 3 weeks, or in the freezer, where it will keep almost indefinitely. I recommend putting it into small containers (because larger ones tend to become messy, at least at my house), and another tip is to use containers with wide necks (trying to dig jam out of a container with a small opening is not fun!).

NOTE - it's critical to measure all items accurately. For instance, don't try to reduce the sugar - this will cause the jam to not set properly.

I love giving jars of this jam to friends and neighbors, and they always rave about it. It is fabulous on fresh bread. Try it for your family, and I guarantee you they will love it!

Oh, and the jam vs. jelly vs. preserves question? Here's the difference: jelly is made from juice, not fruit pieces, and is therefore clear; jam contains crushed fruit and is less stiff than jelly; and preserves contains chunks of fruit.