And then you make cherry jam!
First we washed and pitted all the cherries. I picked that cherry pitter up for about $6 and it turned out to be quite a handy gadget!
I had some great helpers as usual! :-)
{I got some great pics of Eliana's cherry face, you can see them here!}
I used Pomona's Universal Pectin to make this jam using honey. I used 1/2 cup honey per 4 cups of cherries. I used the blender to make it smooth. Cooked it on the stove, added the honey to the cherries. I use raw unspun local honey, so it is a solid at room temperature, therefore I could not follow the recipe and add the pectin to the honey. During the first batch I tried to heat the honey so I could add the pectin, but it would not dissolve. The 2nd batch worked great using a small (about 1/4 cup) of sugar so that it would easily dissolve. I also added a few tablespoons of lemon juice. And processed for 12 minutes.
I ended up with 12 half pint jars and 2 pint jars (after giving one away). I pay about $3 a jar for organic all fruit jam, so I was very happy to save money by making my own! We also ate a huge bowl and I still have a bag of pitted cherries waiting for a cherry crumb pie, that I hope to make very soon!
You are amazing me at all you are accomplishing in your kitchen the last few weeks! I can't wait to see what you are planning and canning next:-)!!
ReplyDeleteMe TOO! Love reading and learning....
ReplyDeleteAndi
I think you have motivated me to make some homeade jam:) Thanks for the great pictures on how to do it:) I am soooo visual!
ReplyDeleteWow, productive is definitely the word to use. What a great bounty you have. I also wanted to say that I am SOOOO excited about your foundation on your homestead. It looks like such a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteI made some cherry jam with the kids today and it was wonderful:) A neighbor brought some cherries over. (not 20 pounds, but 2 pounds..smile) I used fresh lemon juice instead of pectin, with a little lemon zest and Agave Nectar instead of sugar. The whole family loved it! Thanks for the great idea!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds yummy! I love cherries!! :)
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