Ahh…summer is already over for some. School has started and fall items are already in retail stores. What I love about canning is that you can preserve the taste of summer, literally! My next sentence would have been, “What I love is that I can just walk down to the pantry and grab a jar of my awesome blackberry jam”, but sadly, there is none left!!
Trying out my new food mill
It’s gone. All gone! Which means I will just have to make some more. Not only can you can a “taste of summer” during summer, but you can capture the taste of virtually any season during any season! Thanks to frozen fruits/veggies you can capture any taste and still obtain them at the peak of ripeness.
It's not as messy as you think!
I got this food mill on clearance and I absolutely love it! It was easy to work and there was not one seed that got through. I would highly recommend this as I have some family members that cannot have seeds. A seedless jam was the perfect solution to still can my favorite fruits and avoid the seeds.
Jam is a'cookin
Now the other thing that I love about this jam, is it actually set! My very first successful jam! I was so excited! The reason why I think this one was so successful was because I got it off the Ball packet that is included in the pectin boxes and not online. Not only does this 100% guarantee that you have a good recipe (though does not guarantee that your jam will always set) you can be sure that if something goes wrong it was something on your end and not in the recipe.
I love the lids, too bad they're disposable
Another thing that I’ve learned is it is important to pay attention to the times listed in the recipe. Whether you are cooking jam or processing it is very important not to under-cook/overcook the jam. While I’m still learning I feel that it’s just one small hurdle to overcome!
The moose are always watching
Typically I post a recipe but I cannot find the recipe I used in the packet on the Ball canning site except for a black raspberry jam. There is a similar recipe in the Ball Blue Book guide to preserving, page 32, Berry Jam. You can find the book here on Amazon.com. I bought mine at a grocery store in the canning section for $5, not too shabby!
and remember…you CAN can!
Tags: baking, berry, blackberry, blackberry jam, canning, food mill, jam, recipe, seedless blackberry jam, summer
that looks awesome!! we’ve made apricot jam and it was fab
I’ve never made jam. Once my store bought version is up, that’s next on my list to start making myself. Yours looks amazing.
(I just started making my own granola. It’s so much better without all that added sugar, right!) I’m going to try the one you posted very soon.
Jenn, if you want zero-waste, here it is! Making jam (or canning in general) is one of the most cost effective measures you can take. Though I must admit it was a bit of an investment to start, but now all I need is to buy ingredients (or grow them) and buy jars (look at garage sales, antique shops, etc). The only waste I can think of is once you seal a jar with the lids they are no good except for foods you plan to eat within a few months. There is also something so rewarding when you hear the “POP” after a jar has sealed
Yaahh! Zero waste! That’s exactly why I’m trying to switch over. Well, that and the fact that making your own food is so much better for you. I thought it would be really overwhelming, but Matt helps me in the kitchen, so it’s not.
There are still some things though that have seemed so daunting, I just haven’t had the confidence. But your blog has helped me so much. Encouraged me. Inspired me. You make it look fun and easy and get such pleasure out of the things you make. And then I have more confidence, and I think—I can do this! This young little whipper-snapper is doing it, so can I!
Thanks for that. It’s amazing how much influence you’ve had over my kitchen and I haven’t even met you!!
And I love how you always spell my name right! ha, ha!
I totally agree about how much healthier it is to make your own food, I cannot believe the differences of taste in store-bought jam vs. homemade! I can use jars that aren’t good for canning (cracked/warped) for decoration or for “gifts in a jar” like the cookie mixes. I am so happy to hear that my blog has really helped you, it’s a learning process for me too! Once I try something that seemed impossible I always find myself saying, “gee, that was really easy” and up it goes on my blog! You’ve helped me realize that people really do benefit from my blog and to keep on going, so I thank you for that! I’m not really that young, I inherited the “youthful” look from both my parents that look younger than their age
And hey, I know how it feels to have someone constantly spell your name wrong, I’ve had any variation you can think of! Jeny, Jenifer, Jennyfer, Jennifur, sheesh!
Jennyfur. Oh, that’s the worst.
Yes, keep posting! Your blog is one of my very favorites. It’s so upbeat and interesting. I tried your trifle and put it on my facebook page. Three people asked me for the recipe! I sent them the trifle link to your blog. You’re affecting a lot of people. I’m going to try your granola next. And then I’ll put that one on facebook!
Rejoice that you look so young. What most of us wouldn’t do…..maybe you could bottle and sell those genes.