Ballbluebookplumjam Recipes

DAMSON PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Wash and pick over the plums.
• Combine the plums and the water.
• Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Allow to cool enough to handle - or completely, if you like - and fish out the pits (I put them through a food mill, and then removed the pits from the remaining pulp).
• Return the pulp to the rest of the jam once the pits are out.
• Meanwhile, put the jars into a canning kettle and cover with water to one inch above the tops of the jars.
• Bring to a boil, boil 10 minutes to sterilize.
• Return the plums to the jam kettle, and bring them back to the boil. Add the sugar to the plums, stirring to dissolve.
• Boil to jam stage, about 20 minutes. Test for the gelling point with one of the following methods: Temperature test - Use a jelly or candy thermometer, and boil until mixture reaches the following temperatures at altitudes of: Sea level to 1,000 feet - 104°C/220°F; 1,001 feet to 2,000 feet - 103°C/218°F
• Sheet or spoon test - Dip a cool metal spoon into the boiling jelly mixture. Raise the spoon out of the steam, about 12 inches above the pan. Turn the spoon so the liquid runs off the side. The jelly is done when the syrup forms two drops that flow together and sheet or hang off the edge of the spoon.
• I like the"sheet" test.
• As the jam cooks, remove any pits you may have missed.
• Remove from the heat and stir and skim 5 minutes.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal with lids sterilized according to the manufacturers directions.
• (Generally, boiled for 5 minutes.) Place jars of jam back in boiling water bath and boil for 5 minutes.
• Let cool, and store when the jars have sealed.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the boiling water canner before starting to cook your jam. (Fill the canner/stockpot at least half full of enough clean, warm water so the level will be at least 1" over the top of the filled jars once they're added).
• Wash, pit and chop plums w/ skins.
• Wash and crush blackberries w/ potato masher.
• Place plums and crushed blackberries in large pot.
• Add pectin a little at a time to plums and berries, stirring constantly.
• Heat on high stirring constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil.
• Add sugar ALL at once, stirring.
• Bring mixture back to a full hard boil, stirring constantly.
• Use potato masher to carefully further crush plums and berries in pot.
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Skim off foam, if present.
• Place in sterilized, hot jars, leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe edges of jars with clean cloth, place lids and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes at sea level (over 1000 feet, add one minute of processing for each 1000 feet in altitude).
• Remove from water and place jars on a cloth-protected counter or cooling rack to cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Remove rings from sealed jars and store; put any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use first.