A Moose in Love wrote:
....
> I don't think I really know what freezer jam is. This jam can be and is frozen.
> The jar I got was freshly made, and wasn't frozen. Is freezer jam made in a different way than regular?

yes it is different as the fruit is not cooked. if you
like lemon juice it really makes the bright notes of the
strawberries stand out. i add extra lemon juice.

the basic technique is simple, clean the fruits, mash
some of them up and you can leave some larger chunks if
you want them, i just mash it all up, measure out what
is needed, add sugar, stir a bit and then leave it sit
for about 10 minutes, by then most of the sugar has
dissolved, you can stir it a bit at this point to get
more of the sugar dissolved, i'm not that picky. then
you add pectin and lemon juice and stir for a bit to
make sure that is fully incorporated, then you can put
it in containers and let them sit for a bit and then
put them in the freezer or refridgerator. frozen it
will keep a year or two (i seal the jars using budget
canning lids that have been warmed up and then i put
a ring on and tighten it well). you have to leave
enough room in the jars for expansion during freezing
but otherwise i don't have problems with the jars in
the freezer.

i usually use liquid pectin, it is fairly expensive
so i may do something else in the future or just not
make as much. we'll see (trying to reduce sugar in
my diet).

what i like about it the most, not having to cook
jam on a hot day in the summer. that alone is worth it
but the flavor is so much better too.


songbird