Strawberry Honey Jam

This was my first time making jam or canning anything.  I like this recipe, because it was easy to follow and it doesn't have all the sugar that other recipes do.  The honey is a natural sweetener.  I found a good deal on jars at the local grocery store.  The pectin can be found in the jello isle.  

I got the recipe from pinterest and it lead back to this site.  

  

Before you begin, go here and read some canning basics, so that you can better understand the process. 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups chopped strawberries
• Two boxes powdered pectin (I bought a box of pectin in gel form and only needed 1 packet)
• 1 ½ cups honey
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

Wash and sterilize six 8oz jam jars. I boiled my jars and flat parts of the lid in a large pot, while I cooked the jam.  This keeps them germ free until you are ready to fill the jars.  Leave the flat lids in the pot until you are ready to place them directly onto your jars.

Mash the berries with a potato masher and place in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan.

Add the pectin, stir with a wooden spoon, place on a burner over high heat, and bring to a rolling boil. Stir and boil for 1 min.
                                                    
Remove from heat and add the honey and lemon juice and mix well. Return to heat and bring to a boil again, stirring occasionally. Boil for 5 min, stirring constantly.
                                                                 

                                                                     
Remove jam from heat and let sit for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. It will thicken 
slightly. 

                                                         

Ladle jam into hot jars, then place a flat lid on jars, and add screw rings.

                                                                            
                                  Immerse the sealed jars in your large pot, and boil rapidly for 8 min. 

                 

Remove from pot and place on a towel (I placed them on a baking pan) on the counter to cool.   Leave them out to cool for 1 day.  You will hear the lids start to pop and this will happen when the jars are sealing themselves. 

I had my first taste of the jam on this beer bread.  If you have never tried beer bread, you should!  It is super easy to make.  Just buy a boxed mix for it, then you will just need to add 1 can of beer, then bake it.  Easy Peasy!    I will be sharing a peach champagne jam soon.  I am waiting for my favorite fruit stand to open on July 1st.  They sell the best peaches.