| Author | |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 11:09am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Anybody make their own jam regularly? I am trying it for the first time this year. I picked up my strawberries from the farmer's market today, and we are going blackberry picking tomorrow. If it goes as planned we'll do blueberry in June and have a year's supply plus some to share with others.
BUT I"M SCARED to death to screw it up. I've read tons and it seems like a fairly easy process and that you can redo if you end up with not the exact result you wanted.
I have to finish cleaning today so that my evening can be spent freezing one flat of berries and making jam with another. Tell me I can do this?!
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 11:15am | IP Logged
|
|
|
oh sure you can do it.. it's probably the easiest thing in the world to can.  and the jam is just following the directions.. easy.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 11:24am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Colleen -
As Jodie says, "Easy as jam!" Besides, if it doesn't set up, it will make great pancake or ice cream sauce. My only advice, besides following directions, is to check the expiration date on your pectin (if you're using pectin). Outdated pectin can interfere with the "jamming" process.
Have fun! I didn't realize things ripened so early in Louisiana!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 11:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Things ripen SOOOO early...I almost missed strawberries which ripened particularly early this year it seems. THe lady at the farmer's market said by next week they'll be bringing in California berries because the Louisiana farmers are through with their crop!
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I want to try doing some preserves this year as well. I was planning to use Pamona's pectin since it doesn't seem to require all the sugar the others do and I could add my own sweetener of choice.
Does anyone have experience with this? Is Pamona really easier to use?
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh Colleen, you SO can do this. It's really easy and all those jewel-colored jelly jars are so very rewarding! And really, the worst thing that happens is that it doesn't set and then you have a good excuse to make homemade vanilla ice cream and turn it into the most amazing strawberry sundae you've ever had.
Wish I could be there to help you.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
doris
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1103
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 1:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
you can do it! if i can, anyone can 
nak
__________________
Home educating in London, UK with dd (2000) ds (2002), dd (2004), ds (2008) and dd (2011).
Frabjous Days
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 2:02pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
hylabrook1 wrote:
Have fun! I didn't realize things ripened so early in Louisiana!
Peace,
Nancy |
|
|
I do jelly, Colleen. Never done jam, so I hope you blog about it. 
Better yet, I could run to your house and we'll make a mess together.  I just have to get permission from dh though and see if I can justify the cost of gas. Perhaps if I bring him back some jam. 
I'll trade you with some mayhaw jelly, though I think I might have missed my bil's crop of mayhaws. I haven't walked to the back of his property yet.
Anyway, if I can make jelly, I PROMISE! you can make jam.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maddie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1804
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 2:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I made jam for the first time last year. We made strawberry, raspberry, & peach. It is such a pleasure to pull the jam out on a cold winter day and open up all that sunshine you canned.
I guess the constant stirring and stirring and stirring was the hardest part for me.
__________________
~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey, Cay -
I've been wondering for years what a mayhaw is! When I read the recipes that come in the pectin box, there is one for mayhaw jelly/jam. The word itself makes my laugh!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
hylabrook1 wrote:
| I've been wondering for years what a mayhaw is! |
|
|
Everything you wanted to know about Mayhaw
I kind of think at as the poor Cajun cranberry...I love that the website says it is usually picked in sloughs, swamps and back waters...tells you a lot about us Cajun folk, doesn't it?
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary Chris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2175
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
So where exactly are you all getting your recipes? If you have some goods ones will you please share?
__________________
Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
hylabrook1
Forum Moderator
Joined: July 09 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5980
|
| Posted: May 07 2008 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary Chris -
The two main sources of recipes we use are (1) the insert in the Sure-Gel powdered pectin box; and (2) the Ball Blue Book.
If I get really stuck or puzzled, I call the Ball folks on their 800 number. Very nice ladies, very helpful, very knowledgable.
Colleen -
Thanks for the mayhaw link!
Peace,
Nancy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LookaBook
Forum Newbie
Joined: Jan 07 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: May 08 2008 at 11:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I made strawberry jam for the first time yesterday. I used the Fannie Farmer Cookbook's recipe and instructions. It turned out ok, but too sweet for my taste. I plan on cutting back on sugar next time. For some jams you don't need pectin- like strawberries.
My only problem is that my jars didn't seal. That's ok because I only made 2qt and one 1/2 pint so I'll just keep'em in the fridge until we're done.
My advise is to do a trial run with a small batch, see how it goes and then do more.
God bless,
Al
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 8:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I DID IT! Eight pints of strawberry jam that actually set and lids sealad. They are topped in sweet red and cream gingham and lined in my pantry doors. I like to look at them when I'm feeling overwhelemed . Breakfast this morning--buttermilk biscuits with strawberry jam, delicious!
I'm on to blackberries and blueberries...and if my cayenne plants blossom, sweet pepper jelly in the summer!
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 9:26am | IP Logged
|
|
|
You talented girl, You! 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 11:36am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow! SOunds wonderful...
Anybody in OK know what's ripe now? We just got here last month, so I'm trying to plan...
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ladybugs
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3732
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 11:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
When you're done, Colleen, I want some of your homemade jam.   ....We are just finishing moving into our new home and I need some yummies to fill the new pantry ...
Seriously.
I have that much confidence in your abilities.
__________________
Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ladybugs
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3732
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 11:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
missionfamily wrote:
I DID IT! Eight pints of strawberry jam that actually set and lids sealad. They are topped in sweet red and cream gingham and lined in my pantry doors. I like to look at them when I'm feeling overwhelemed . Breakfast this morning--buttermilk biscuits with strawberry jam, delicious!
I'm on to blackberries and blueberries...and if my cayenne plants blossom, sweet pepper jelly in the summer! |
|
|
Guess I should read the whole thread before I post, huh?
Congratulations! They sound beautiful!
__________________
Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maddie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1804
|
| Posted: May 10 2008 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Don't forget to make strawberry butter if you have any strawberries left over! Yum!
__________________
~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: jam makers
