Nothing-to-It Jams

Fill your freezer with these simple, stir-together spreads.

Jam with no cooking? Yep. You simply crush the fruit, stir in freezer jam pectin, spoon into decorative canning jars, and freeze-it couldn't be easier. You don't have to worry about sacrificing flavor, either. These spreads are some of the finest we've ever tasted.

Jam or jelly will keep in the freezer for up to one year or in the refrigerator for three weeks. And you really can freeze it in a jar-a proper jar, that is. For safety purposes and to avoid a mess in the freezer, just be sure to use jars specifically made and labeled for food preservation. Canning jars or plastic freezer jars work fine for any of these recipes. You can find them at the supermarket, large discount retailers, or even your local hardware store.

Take advantage of fruit at its peak to prepare these vibrant-colored jams for enjoying at home and gift giving yearround. If you happen to miss your favorite fresh fruit in season, we've tested a version using frozen fruit with the same highly rated results.

-VICKI A. POELLNITZ

Double Berry Freezer Jam

ABOUT 5 CUPS

PREP: 10 MIN., STAND: 20 MIN.

Other seasonal berries may be substituted.

4 cups fresh whole blueberries

3 cups fresh strawberries

1 ½ cups sugar

1 (1.59-oz.) envelope freezer jam pectin

1. Pulse blueberries in food processor

2 to 4 times or until finely chopped, stopping to scrape down sides. Place in a medium-size bowl. Pulse strawberries in food processor 8 to 10 times or until finely chopped, stopping to scrape down sides. Add to blueberries in bowl. Stir in sugar, and let stand 15 minutes.

2. Gradually stir in pectin. Stir for 3 minutes; let stand 5 minutes.

3. Spoon mixture into sterilized canning jars, filling to ½ inch from top; wipe jar rims clean. Cover with metal lids, and screw on bands. Place in freezer.

Granny Smith Apple Freezer Jam

MAKES ABOUT 3½ CUPS

PREP: 15 MIN., STAND: 20 MIN.

Pair this jam with some peanut butter for a mighty fine sandwich.

5 cups coarsely chopped, unpeeled Granny Smith apples (about 5 medium apples or 1½ lb.)

1 cup sugar

½ cup pasteurized apple juice

1 (1.59-oz.) envelope freezer jam pectin

1. Pulse chopped apples in food processor 10 times or until finely chopped. Place in a medium bowl. Stir in sugar and juice; let stand 15 minutes.

2. Gradually stir in pectin. Stir for 3 minutes; let stand 5 minutes.

3. Spoon fruit mixture into sterilized canning jars, filling to ½ inch from top; wipe jar rims clean. Cover with metal lids, and screw on bands. Place in freezer.

Frozen Strawberry Freezer Jam

MAKES ABOUT 5 CUPS

PREP: 15 MIN., CHILL: 4 HR., STAND: 45 MIN.

Check the jam pectin envelope for more information on using frozen fruits.

6 cups frozen strawberries

1½ cups sugar

1 (1.59-oz.) envelope freezer jam pectin

1. Place frozen strawberries in refrigerator 4 hours or until partially thawed. (Some ice crystals should be visible.)

2. Pulse strawberries in a food processor 8 to 12 times or until slightly chunky, stopping to scrape down sides. Place mixture in a medium bowl; stir in sugar, and let stand 15 minutes.

3. Gradually stir in pectin. Stir for 3 minutes, and let stand 30 minutes.

4. Spoon fruit mixture into 1-cup plastic freezer jars, filling to fill line (about ¾ inch from top); wipe jar rims clean. Twist on lids, and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Ball Freezer Jars.

Pomegranate Freezer Jelly

MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS

PREP: 10 MIN., STAND: 20 MIN.

When making jelly using only juice, the pectin must be doubled. This recipe requires two packages of pectin, while the others only need one.

3 cups pomegranate juice

1½ cups sugar

2 (1.59-oz.) envelopes freezer jam pectin

1. Stir together pomegranate juice and sugar in medium bowl; let stand 15 minutes.

2. Gradually stir in pectin. Stir for 3 minutes; let stand 5 minutes.

3. Spoon juice mixture into sterilized canning jars, filling to ½ inch from top; wipe jar rims clean. Cover with metal lids, and screw on bands. Place in freezer.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used refrigerated POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice.

For More Info

Divine jam and jelly recipes: southernliving.com/may2007

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2007
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