Now, I don't know at which age you are supposed to begin making things for yourself. I imagine it was a long time ago and I've been mooching off Mom for longer than I should. It was time at last to grow up a little more and make my own jam.
My biggest fear was that the sugar wouldn't dissolve and it would get gritty. This seemed to happen at least once each year to my mom, and she is an expert! Oh well. It was an expensive risk, but I had to take it.
I picked up my raspberries (I bought WAY too many.) I only had to call Mommy Dearest once, when I was picking out a box of pectin. After that, I worked on my own!
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| This is what was left over...Oops. |
I was originally going to use a recipe off the internet but everything I found had scathing comments from people who had tried it! Everyone was criticizing the amount of sugar--whether too much or too little. Since I was a first timer I decided to follow the pectin box recipe. That mean box, though! It had so many warnings on it like "Don't do this, or you'll mess it up forever!" that I was beginning to worry it wouldn't turn out. I even considered doing the straw-rasp-jam but chickened out and stuck to straight raspberry. Don't want to get too arrogant.
No one thought to give me a potato masher for my wedding (woe is me) so I had to use a slotted spoon. It worked splendidly, although it took longer than a fancy masher would.
I almost...ALMOST put the sugar in with the pectin. The horror! I'm so grateful I read the directions nine times and on the ninth finally comprehended this part. I would have given up.
The finished product... Ta DA! Yes, I put my jam in an old pickle jar. I'm poor, remember? Pinterest would be ashamed. My other containers were frosting cups and peanut butter jars. Don't judge.
P.S. Have you read this book? It's my berry favorite. Great for a jam-themed day with your kids.
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| Jamberry on Amazon |
