There is not much else growing in our garden (thanks to the crows and the early heat) but we do have strawberries… loads of delicious, sweet, strawberries.
The big question on everyone’s lips is…. do I attempt to make Jam? Or do we just eat them?
It’s on my list….
No 17. Make jam and don’t screw it up
But my first attempt at jam last year was a dismal dismal failure and I’m just not sure I am ready to face that war again.
This year however, I am armed with a confectioners thermometer which should (maybe?) help avoid last years smoke flavoured jam issues. But it’s still a lot of time to spend, and a lot of strawberries to waste with little certainty of a decent outcome. And I mean we could just eat the strawberries as they are, enjoy them, and I could move on. But jam… yummy home made with our own strawberries jam… to have on our pancakes and croissants Christmas morning….. do I dare???
I dare you………..go on.you wont regret it!!!!!
Oh please tell me how you got all those yummy strawberries!! How many plants to get that yield!?
I’m having the same dilemma- but my number 1 issue is where to buy jars to store the jam!
I 2nd Stitch Sista’s comment! I need info on how to get that same result!!! I have NONE on my poor little plants that shrivelled up in the heat and miraculously came back to life after the rain. Did you cover yours up? Fertiliser? Please help!!!
maybe just make a coole and pour straight over a pavlova or fresh pancakes.
Our four strawberry plants have yielded ONE edible strawberry so far!
Buy jars?
I just collect them during the year. If you don’t buy honey , vegemite, tomato paste, salsa, etc ask your friends and neighbours. Everyone collects for me to the point of it being embarrassing. Now I get choosy about whether they are “cool” jars or not,
An old woman at Aireys gave me the best recipe for Strawberry jam. Equal parts by weight of fruit and sugar with the juice of a lemon (or two). Boil for 15 minutes. Pour in hot jars. Allow to cool then cover with wax (to stop mould). Screw on lids.
Strawberry and Apricot are the hardest for new jam makers. Try berries – raspberries, loganberries etc they are much easier as they have lots of pectin.
Happy jam making girls!
Oh yum – our strawberry plants are woefully sunburned and suffering.