Surejell Fresh Apricot Jam Recipes

HOMEMADE FRESH APRICOT JAM WITH PECTIN

Steps:

• Wash the apricots in cold water. Pit but do not peel. Then chop the apricots into small pieces.
• Mash the apricots in a large bowl to help release some of the juice and measure. You should have 2-3/4 cups of mashed apricots. Press the lemon and measure the lemon juice. There should be 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice to the apricots in the bowl.
• Combine the mashed apricots and powdered fruit pectin in a 3-quart saucepan.
• Stir and cook over medium heat until the apricots begin to bubble. You do not have to bring the mixture to a hard boil.
• Stir in the 3 cups sugar.
• Increase to medium-high heat and stir until it reaches a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and skim foam from top of jam.
• Pour into hot, sterilized, half-pint canning jars, and seal.
• Process the apricot jam for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Then remove the jars from the pot and place on a dry towel to cool. Finally, gently shake the jars after two hours to prevent all of the pieces of fruit from floating to the top. The directions in the package caution that this jam may take up to two weeks to set. My experience has been that it may take up to two days to set, but rarely longer.

APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Mix apricots and lemon juice in a large pot; add sugar. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook and stir until apricot mixture thickens, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary.
• Meanwhile, prepare jars, lids, and rings by cleaning and sterilizing in dishwasher or boiling water bath. Leave lids in simmering water until ready to seal jars.
• Ladle hot jam into hot sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space on top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.