If you love strawberries (like, let’s face it, most of us), you might be lamenting the fact that their growing season is relatively short. So what can you do to preserve that delicious strawberry flavor? While creating preserves and jams might sound like a job reserved for experienced chefs, it’s surprisingly easy!
First, wash your berries thoroughly.
Whether they’re coming from the field or the store, washing your strawberries is the most important step.
After the berries have been washed and the leaves removed, it’s smashing time.
If you like a smoother jam, smash more. If you like your jam chunkier, leave some bits unsmashed.
For most recipes, only about two cups of smashed strawberries are needed. Measure accordingly.
In a separate bowl, measure out four cups of sugar.
Mix three-quarters cup of water with a package of Sure Jell.
Stir until the mixture is clear and add it to the sugar and strawberries. Mix everything until it’s smooth. Work quickly on this step!
Then add the preserves to some eight-ounce jars, leaving about a half-inch of room at the top.
Be sure to clean off the rims.
(source Cleverly Simple)
Let the jars sit at room temperature for 24 hours, and after that, you can store them in the freezer for up to a year!
