(No Cook) Fresh Strawberry Freezer Jam
In Victor, ID, it’s not farm fresh strawberry season…yet. Meaning Brenda recruited her sisters, Jill & Sheryl, to help out with this week’s photos. Sheryl made this freezer jam (Sheryl…Brenda’s asking if you’ll share the jam with her?!), which made us think we have to share Sheryl’s biscuit recipe with you all soon. They’re SO GOOD.
(No Cook) Fresh Strawberry Freezer Jam
Prepare 4-5 pints (8-10 cups) of freezer-safe containers, set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together until well blended:
5 cups sugar
1/2 cup Instant Clear Jel
Note: sift together very thoroughly to prevent clumps in the finished jam.
In a large bowl, mash* to make:
5 cups mashed strawberries
Once desired texture is reached, pour in:
Sugar & Clear Jel
Fold together until evenly distributed (jam will immediately begin to thicken). If available, use an immersion blender to combine.
Pour into prepared freezer-safe containers.
Allow to rest at room temperature 12-24 hours so that the sugar can completely dissolve, then transfer to the freezer.
Freeze until firm. Keeps for ~one year in freezer.
Ready to enjoy? Transfer to refrigerator to defrost. Keeps for a few weeks in refrigerator.
Brenda's tips:
Variations:
Perfectly ripened sweet fruit may need as little as 2 cups of sugar per 5 cups berry puree (sugar mixed with 1/2 cup Instant Clear Jel)
Thicker jam = increase to 2/3 cup Instant Clear Jel
Thinner jam = decrease to 1/3 cup Instant Clear Jel
Instant Clear Jel is magical. It's the best way to retain perfectly fresh tasting flavor in your strawberry jam.
It is a modified corn starch and does NOT work like regular corn starch
It comes as a white powder and has no discernable flavor
Instant Clear Jel requires ZERO heat to thicken
Only downside: it MUST be mixed well with sugar to dissolve in fresh pureed fruit
There you have it: fast, fresh and deliciously spreadable
*Timesaver Tip: strawberries can be "mashed" using any method:
Blender - very smooth puree
Food Processor - pulse until desired texture is reached, chunky or smooth
Hand food masher - leaves chunks of berry
Window to Sheryl’s kitchen…
