Making jam/jelly for Christmas - help wanted

Springtimebride06

So, I might do this for gifts.  I've never canned, made jelly/jam kind of thing before... where do I begin?  I'd like to do it while fruits in season.

Please guide me.

ScissortailFlycatcher

Making jams/jellies are really easy if you have the right tools.

Do you have a food mill?  I use the Norpro Sauce Master Food Strainer found at Fleet Farm and other places or online: http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/housewares/food-preservation/canning/norpro-sauce-master-food-strainer

You are going to need this or a sieve for almost every recipe to remove skin, seeds, cores, etc.

About 3 weeks ago I made almost 60 jars of apple butter using this recipe: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_butter/

It is very, very good. And pretty simple. A few notes: You don't need an 8 cup measuring cup, just 2 or 3 shallow bowls to catch the pulp as it comes out of the food mill, and then pour into a 4 cup measuring cup is fine. I'm not sure of the apples we used, they were backyard apples from my grandpa's tree.

We made grape jam last year from the grapes in our backyard and that is delicious but I can't find the recipe for that one.

We also made apple sauce last year from store bought apples and that is very simple to do.

The page for the apple butter recipe also has info about sterilizing your jars before canning, which is very important. You just have to jump into it, find a recipe, get your supplies and just go for it. You'll find it's pretty simple once you start.

aesthyerin

I've just started canning as well and love it! So far I've made a blueberry maple jam and a strawberry jam. Both were delicious! All I used was a big pot and correct jars. That's it, except for a little canning kit which just includes some simple tools. I found it on amazon, but did see it at Ace Hardware as well. I also have the Ball Blue Book which gives you all the info you need!

WA1215

I made both of these to give as gifts for Christmas this year, and they both turned out awesome!

http://www.beantownbaker.com/2009/08/vanilla-peach-bourbon-jam.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Red-and-Green-Christmas-Jalapeno-Jelly/Detail.aspx

(add more jalapenos if you want it more hot/spicy.  I did the recommended amount and was only able to taste a faint jalapeno flavor.) 

Springtimebride06

Thanks everyone!  I'm so inspired.

I don't have a food mill thingy but, think i'll attempt it anyway.

 

Mrs.Mo2006

Springtimebride06:

Thanks everyone!  I'm so inspired.

I don't have a food mill thingy but, think i'll attempt it anyway.

 

You can strain the juice through a cotton cloth or cheese cloth.  It's a little man power, but it works fabulously.

snowday!

Works just fine with frozen berries, too.

 

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1723,147170-244199,00.html

 

WHIPPED RASPBERRY JAM
6 c. raspberries 6 c. sugar Mash berries in saucepan and stir in sugar. Cook slowly until sugar dissolves. Bring quickly to a boil and boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and beat with wire whip or rotary beater for 6 minutes. Pour into hot jars and seal. Yields 5 1/2 pints.