TEACH ME THURSDAY – Strawberry Freezer Jam

Emily and I have a lot in common, one of them is our complete OBSESSION with strawberry freezer jam!!  I’m not exaggerating when I say obsession…we really are crazy about it.  For the past 3 years that we’ve lived near each other we have gotten together to make our freezer jam and we always try to make enough to last us for the year…BUT for the past 2 years we have FAILED!!!  Around January/February our jam is GONE!  It is pure torture waiting until strawberry season in May/June before we get to eat and enjoy our amazing strawberry jam again!  So this year we decided we would get it right!!!  We each bought 10 lbs. of strawberries, 9 fruit pectin, and 20 lbs. of sugar!  As we started making it we wondered if it was going to be enough, but after filling up every container we had and STILL having 4 batches left to make we laughed at ourselves because we knew we had plenty.  I alone ended up making 20 - 20oz containers!!  Em and I figured we usually made 8 – 20oz containers…SO I believe we will end up having jam ALL YEAR LONG PLUS some!!

Here is the recipe we use for Strawberry Freezer Jam:

2 C. crushed fresh strawberries

4 C. sugar

1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin (we used SURE JELL) 

Directions:

1.  Make sure to wash and dry your freezer containers

2.  Wash and cut your strawberries

3. Blend your strawberries in a blender

4.  Mix blended strawberries and sugar and let stand for 10 minutes.  Make sure to measure EXACTLY!

5.  Meanwhile, follow directions on sure jell box, and boil over med-high heat for one minute.

 

6.  Stir the boiling water/pectin mixture into the strawberries and sugar mixture.  Mix well and allow to stand for 3 minutes.

7.  Pour mixture into freezer containers, place lids on, and leave out for 24 hours.  Place into freezer for up to a year.

If you want to make 20 – 20 oz containers like I did, here is what you need:

• 10 lbs. Strawberries
• 9 fruit pectin (Sure Jell)
• 20 lbs. sugar

***We also figured out the cost of each 20 oz container, $1.50.  Not bad for something SO yummy! 

Some of our favorite ways to use our Strawberry Freezer Jam:

• Peanut Butter and Jam of course!
• Topping for pancakes, a must!
• Add a spoonful to some vanilla ice cream…so yummy!
• Toast!  Nothing else compares!

Now go get some strawberries and a good friend and make some!  Then don’t forget you can print some cute labels for your containers!

- Cammie