Strawberry Preserves Recipe for Canning: A Sweet and Fruity Delight
Summer is the perfect time for fresh strawberries, and what better way to enjoy them than by making homemade strawberry preserves? These sweet and tangy preserves are perfect on toast, biscuits, or even as a topping for ice cream. They are also a great way to preserve the delicious flavor of fresh strawberries for months to come.
Here's what you'll need:
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 packet (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Jars:
- Wash and sterilize your jars, lids, and bands in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Allow them to air-dry completely.
2. Make the Preserves:
- In a large saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, skimming off any foam that forms.
- Add the pectin: Stir the pectin into the boiling fruit mixture and bring it back to a full rolling boil (large bubbles breaking to the surface).
- Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
3. Fill the Jars:
- Ladle the hot preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any drips.
- Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands tightly.
4. Process the Jars:
- Place the filled jars in a boiling water bath canner.
- Make sure the water is covering the jars by at least 1 inch.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil and process the jars for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, carefully remove the jars from the canner using tongs and place them on a clean, dry towel to cool completely.
- You will hear a popping sound as the jars seal.
5. Check the Seals:
- Once the jars are cool, press down on the center of the lid. If it doesn't move, the jar is sealed.
- If the lid moves or you hear a hiss, the jar is not sealed and needs to be refrigerated and used within a week.
Tips for Success:
- Use ripe strawberries: The sweeter the strawberries, the better your preserves will taste.
- Don't overcook the preserves: Overcooked preserves can become cloudy and lose their flavor.
- Use a good quality pectin: Pectin helps to thicken the preserves and prevent them from becoming runny.
- Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place: Properly sealed jars of strawberry preserves will keep for up to a year.
Enjoy your delicious homemade strawberry preserves! They make a perfect gift for friends and family, or a delightful treat to enjoy yourself.
