Backyard Grape Jam Recipes

OLD FASHIONED GRAPE JAM (NO PECTIN ADDED)

Steps:

• Seed grapes as discussed above by squeezing the grape flesh out of the skin and then cooking the pulp down. Put the pulp through a fine mesh strainer and then re-combine the filtered pulp with the grape skins.
• Add the skins and pulp into a saucepan along with the sugar and cook the mixture until it reaches gel stage, about 10-15 minutes. Experienced jam makers can watch for when the type of bubbles change and take on a glossy look. To be sure, test the consistency on a plate that's kept in the freezer or with a candy thermometer.
• Pour the jam into prepared canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Store in the refrigerator for immediate use, or process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the jars to sit in the canner for an additional 5 minutes before removing them to cool on a towel on the counter.
• Allow the jars to rest for 24 to 48 hours to completely gel.

CONCORD GRAPE JAM

Steps:

• Sterilize jars:
• Wash jars, lids, and screw bands in hot, soapy water, then rinse well. Dry screw bands. Put jars on a rack in canner or deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, covered, then boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, leaving jars in water. Heat lids in water to cover by 2 inches in a small saucepan until thermometer registers 180°F (do not let boil). Remove from heat, leaving lids in water. Keep the jars and lids submerged in hot water, covered, until ready to use.
• Cook jam:
• Chill 2 small plates (for testing jam).
• Slip skins from grapes and purée skins with 1 cup sugar in a food processor, then transfer to a 4- to 6-quart wide heavy pot. Stir in lemon juice, peeled grapes, and remaining 4 cups sugar and boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently and skimming foam, until pulp is broken down, about 20 minutes. Force jam through food mill set over a large bowl. Discard remaining solids. Return jam to pot and cook at a slow boil, skimming foam occasionally and stirring frequently as mixture thickens to prevent scorching, 35 minutes, then test for doneness.
• To test jam, remove from heat, then drop a teaspoonful on a chilled plate and chill 1 minute. Tilt plate: Jam should remain in a mound and not run. If jam runs, continue cooking at a slow boil, testing every 5 minutes, until done, up to 25 minutes more.
• Seal, process, and store jars:
• Drain jars upside down on a clean kitchen towel 1 minute, then invert. Ladle jam into jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at top. Wipe off rims of filled jars with a clean damp kitchen towel, then top with lids and firmly screw on screw bands. Put sealed jars on rack in canner or pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, covered, then boil 10 minutes. With tongs, transfer jars to a towel-lined surface to cool.
• Jars will seal; if you hear a ping, it signals that vacuum formed at the top of cooling preserves has made lid concave. Remember that you may or may not be around to hear that ping (some jars make the sound after you remove them from water, and others in same batch may take a few hours); the important thing is for jars to eventually have concave lids. Preserves will thicken as they cool.
• After jars have cooled 12 to 24 hours, press center of each lid to check that it's concave, then remove screw band and try to lift off lid with your fingertips. If you can't, lid has a good seal. Replace screw band. Put any jars that haven't sealed properly in the refrigerator and use them first.

CONCORD GRAPE JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• If you are going to preserve the jam, prepare the jars and lids: place six half-pint jars on a rack in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the jars, and bring to boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, then turn off heat and allow jars to rest in the hot water. Meanwhile, put bands and lids in a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat over medium heat until the water is simmering, then remove pan from heat and allow the bands and lids to rest in hot water until ready to use.
• Separate the grape skins from the pulp by squeezing the grapes between your fingers. Put the skins in the work bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. Transfer them to a large heavy-bottomed pot and add 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the skins have softened a bit, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the grape pulp in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the grapes lose their shape, about 10 minutes. Pour the grape pulp through a fine-mesh sieve or food mill into a large bowl. Force out as much pulp as you can and discard the seeds.
• Add grape pulp to the pot with grape skins and stir to combine. Add sugar, butter, and lemon juice and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until jam has reduced and thickened and reached the gel stage, about 45 minutes. To test the jam, put a small plate in the freezer. When it is chilled, spoon a bit of jam onto the plate and return it to the freezer for one minute. Drag your fingertip through the jam and tilt the plate from side to side. If the jam stays put and doesn't run, it's set. If not, simmer the jam for a few minutes more.
• Ladle hot jam into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars, cover with lids, and screw bands on until just barely tight. Place jars on rack in pot and cover completely with water. Cover pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, uncover pot, and allow jars to rest in water for 5 minutes. Remove jars from pot and allow them to rest undisturbed on countertop for 6 hours or overnight.

GRAPE JAM

Steps:

• Remove the skins from the pulp and set them aside.
• Place grape pulp in stainless jelly pot with water.
• Bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes.
• Strain to remove the seeds.
• Chop the skins and add to the cooked pulp.
• Measure out 5 cups of the grape pulp mixture and return the pulp to jelly pot.
• Add sugar and butter.
• Heat on medium heat until sugar is melted, then adjust to high heat.
• Heat and stir to full rolling boil that will not stop.
• Add 1 pouch Certo and return to full rolling boil at high heat.
• Boil exactly one minute stirring constantly.
• Fill jars to 1/8 inch from the top.
• Seal with lids.
• Invert jars for 5 minutes.

LOW-SUGAR GRAPE JAM

Steps:

• Start by preparing jars and getting water in the canner heating. You want the canner hot, but not boiling, when the jars are ready to be processed.See full water bath canning instructions here.

GREEN GRAPE MARMALADE

Steps:

• Wash, stem, and measure your grapes.
• In a heavy large pot add the grapes, water and cook for 5-10 minutes.
• Add sugar and stir until all sugar is dissolved.
• Continue cooking and stir occasionally until almost jellying point - 220 degrees.
• This could take well over an hour depending on how many grapes you're cooking.
• About 10 minutes before it's done add at least 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice for above amount.
• Pour, boiling hot, into hot canning jars and seal.
• It will be a reddish caramel color when done.

BACKYARD GRAPE JAM

Steps:

• Cook grapes 20 minutes in ½ cup water until mushy and falling apart.
• Pass through a food mill, discarding skins and seeds.
• Bring pulp to a boil and add sugar and honey.
• Cook at a low boil until thickened, stirring regularly, about 15-20 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and pectin, raise the heat and cook at a hard boil for 3 minutes.
• Ladle into jars and can in a water bath (10 minutes per 1/2 pint or pint jar).