Simple Strawberry Jam

It seems like just the other day I was making Strawberry Jam but we've either eaten it or given it away.  Plus now that I've realized how easy it is to make jam in my Ball Jam and Jelly Maker I'm not sure I'll ever make it on the stove again!

Abigail made a run up to Tom Thumb where one pound packages of strawberries were on sale, and also grabbed some more pectin and sugar!  And we're off! 

Strawberry Jam
3 cups crushed Strawberries (about three  1lb containers)
3 Tbsp. Ball RealFruitTM Classic Pectin
1/2 tsp. butter
3 1/3 cups sugar

DIRECTIONS

• Wash strawberries in cool, running water and drain.  Remove stems and hulls.  Crush the berries one layer at a time using a potato masher.  Do not run through a blender or food processor it will break down the berries natural pectin too much.  Set aside.
• Sprinkle pectin evenly over bottom of the Pot fitted with the Stirrer. Add berries evenly over pectin.  Add a small sliver of butter to help reduce foaming.
• Press jam button – the cook time will automatically default to 21 minutes. Press Enter. WAIT 4 minutes for appliance to sound 4 short beeps indicating that it is time to add sugar. Add sugar gradually while Stirrer continues running. Place the Glass Lid on the Pot.
• The machine will continue to automatically stir your ingredients while it cooks. Stay within earshot of the Jam and Jelly Maker, the appliance will beep again at the end of the process signaling jam cooking is complete. Press cancel, unplug the appliance and remove the glass lid.
• Remove the stirrer using a pot holder.  And begin ladling into your jars!
• Ladle hot jelly into hot jars, leaving ¼ headspace. Wipe rim and center lid on jar. Screw band on until fingertip-tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.  This recipe will yield four 8oz pints of jam!

How does this compare to strawberry jelly made on the stove?  Well, because the ingredients are exactly the same the end product tastes exactly the same.  The presentation is better because there is no foaming and the work involved is minimal with the Jam and Jelly Maker.  Clean up is about the same.

Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce.

Proverbs 3:9