Sweet strawberry jam made lovingly by hand has a taste and quality no machine can replicate.
If you're lucky enough to pick your own local strawberries, be sure to pinch the stem to release the berry instead of squeezing the fruit. You will avoid bruising and spoiling your batch.
In the store, look for red berries without green or white spots. Strawberries do not continue to ripen after they've been picked. Also avoid berries that looked bruised or crushed - one spoiled strawberry can ruin them all.
Strawberries soak up water, so store your berries unwashed in the fridge with hulls (stems) intact. Use them up in two or three days. Or, freeze whole berries on a baking sheet for about one hour. Gather them into a freezer bag and expel all air before storing in the freezer for a later date.
Visit Seed to Supper for more in-season gardening and cooking tips. Seed to Supper is a joint collaboration featuring Canadian Gardening's growing expertise and Canadian Living's Tested Till Perfect recipes.
Recipes
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Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
Pour strawberries and rhubarb into large Dutch oven. Combine 1 pkg (49 g) light fruit pectin crystals with 1/4 cup (50 mL) of th... -
Strawberry Pineapple Jam
Pour strawberries and pineapple into large Dutch oven. Combine pectin crystals with 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the sugar; stir into pan.... -
Summertime Strawberry Raspberry Jam
Pour strawberries, raspberries and lemon juice into large Dutch oven. Combine 1 pkg (49 g) light fruit pectin crystals with 1/4 ... -
Strawberry Banana Jam
Pour strawberries, banana and lemon juice into large Dutch oven. Combine 1 pkg (49 g) light fruit pectin crystals with 1/4 cup (... -
Classic Strawberry Jam
Pour strawberries into large Dutch oven. Combine pectin crystals with 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the sugar; stir into pan. Bring to full... -
No-Sugar-Added No-Cook Strawberry Jam
In large bowl, stir strawberries with lemon juice. Add low-calorie sweetener. Mix in light pectin crystals; let stand for 30 minutes, stirring ... -
Strawberry Gooseberry Jam
High-pectin gooseberries are often blended with soft fruits to help jams and jellies set. -
Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Jam
The sweetness of strawberries, tang of vinegar and heat of pepper create a perfectly balanced preserve to enjoy with cheese and crackers. -
Strawberry Vanilla Jam
A vanilla bean infuses this strawberry jam with intriguing flavour and aroma. -
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Here's a preserve that kids love from our August 2004 "Perfect Summer Preserves" collection. Invite them to help make this no-cook freezer jam... -
Strawberry Raspberry Freezer Jam
Kids will love to help make this delicious jam, which has the fresh taste of just-picked fruit with a hint of orange. -
Strawberry Mint Freezer Jam
A mint-infused syrup livens up and adds sophistication to a summer favourite.
