Strawberries are best when they are fresh picked. If you can pick them yourself at a Farm Market, U-pick place, or even better, at home, then that is best! You know exactly how fresh they are.
The key is planning ahead! When planning a trip to pick any produce, it is always best to call ahead to make sure they have plenty to pick. Also make sure that you have PLENTY of time to process your berries the same day you pick them. It is always cheaper to pick it yourself than to buy it there. For example, it was $4.75 per pint to buy at the market and $1.25 per pound to pick yourself. If you don't know where any U-Pick farms are in your area, check here. (There are also step-by-step instructions on preserving many food items on this site.)
We always make Freezer Jam. One of the main reasons we pick berries! That is what I will start with. Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Select your berries. Put them in a sink of cold water to wash. Just swish them around in the water and drain.
- Hull berries and place into a large bowl. This is the bowl you will use to crush them in.
- Crush berries with a potato masher.
- Measure out 4 Cups of crushed berries (this may vary with the type/size box of pectin that you use).
- Mix your freezer pectin & sugar. The one that I like best is Ball Freezer Pectin. It will tell you exactly how much sugar you need for the size package of pectin that you have. The package that I had said 1 1/2 cups sugar.
- Stir your pectin/sugar mixture into your crushed berries and mix for about 2-3 minutes.
- Ladle into your clean can-or-freeze jars or any freezer containers.
- Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then label & freeze.
- Good for 3 weeks in the refrigerator or a year in the freezer.
It tastes like fresh strawberries all year long!
1 comment:
Mmmmmm! We used fresh strawberries this morning in our smoothies. We like to make freezer jam, too. ;)
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