Strawberry Jam

There is something utterly romantic about making jam - I'm not sure why I feel this way, but I think its because I'm creating something that I would normally just buy from the shops! To be honest, this is the very first time I've made jam, and it was fun (and addictive...oh-o....). I remember my Mum making jam when I was a child because my aunt had an apricot orchid, and try as we did, we couldn't eat all the apricots that came off the tree in time, so a few did make it to the jamming pot.

Mum and Dad visit a strawberry farm close to them on a weekly basis and I asked if they could get some strawberries for jam. They were lucky enough to be there just as the grower brought out a big bag (nearly 2 kilos!) of ripe, but slightly marked strawberries and sold them to Mum and Dad for $3.50. Very, very cheap, considering a punnet (250g) would be about $2 at the moment in the supermarket.

So, my adventure with jam began. I cheated and purchased special sugar that has the jam setting agent in it. I might try and use jam setter next time so I can compare. But first I had to cut all the strawberries like this:

John did "steal" a few strawberries at this point - um-ma!!! I can't say I blame him though!

Then I popped it on the stove with the sugar - it is literally a 50/50 mix so not good for the waistline AT ALL! If you make jam I dare you NOT to take one of the sugared berries from the pot at this stage - I tried not to be tempted but I was (there, I admited it!)

And here it is when all the sugar had disolved (which didn't take long at all which suprised me!)

And finally, here it is, wearing its little hat and all ready to be given to Mum and Dad as a thank you for getting me the strawberries in the first place.

If I had a little more time I would have loved to have made this little hat from LucyKate Crafts for the jam which I think is so clever and pretty. Maybe next time!!