Intense Strawberry Preserves

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This strawberry preserve recipe is made in small batches, to reduce the amount of time the fruit is heated so it retains more of its intense fresh flavor. If you use about 25 percent underripe berries in the mix of berries (they're higher in natural pectin), you don't have to add any store-bought pectin.

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Cook Time:
1 hrs 30 mins
Additional Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
5 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
80
Yield:
5 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds fresh strawberries, washed and patted dry

  • 3 cups sugar

  • cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

  1. Before starting the recipe, gather the needed equipment (see Tips).

  2. Hull strawberries and cut any large ones in half. Combine with sugar and lemon juice in a large, nonreactive bowl (see Tips). Cover and let stand for 4 hours at room temperature or refrigerate overnight.

  3. When you are ready to cook, prepare 5 half-pint (1-cup) jars and lids: Wash in hot soapy water and rinse well. Place the rack in the pot and place the jars, right side up, on the rack. Add enough water to fill and cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Cover the pot and bring to a boil; boil, covered, for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Keep the jars in the hot water (with the pot covered) while you prepare the recipe.

  4. Meanwhile, place the new lids in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a gentle simmer. Very gently simmer for 10 minutes (taking care not to boil). Turn off the heat and keep the lids in the water until ready to use.

  5. Place a saucer and 4 small spoons in the freezer for testing the consistency of the preserves later.

  6. Stir the strawberries to evenly distribute the sugar and transfer to a heavy 6- to 8-quart nonreactive pot. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has melted completely and the strawberries begin to foam, 5 to 15 minutes.

  7. Increase the heat to high and boil rapidly, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom with a heatproof spatula to prevent sticking, until the mixture looks thick, shiny and darker, 15 to 20 minutes. If the jam begins to boil close to the top of the pot or scorch on the bottom, immediately reduce the heat.

  8. To test if the preserves are ready, remove from heat and place a little of the preserve liquid on one of the spoons from the freezer. Rest it on the saucer and return to the freezer for 3 to 4 minutes. Drop the sample from the spoon onto the saucer: if it's thick enough to stay mounded without running or spreading, the preserves are ready. If it's too runny, return the pot to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes before testing again. When the preserves are done, skim excess foam from the surface.

  9. Remove the sterilized jars from the water and place on a clean towel (if they're placed on a cold surface, the jars could crack). Using a funnel, fill jars to within 1/4 inch of the rim. (Any extra preserves can be stored in a small container in the refrigerator.) Run a chopstick around the inside of the jar to release air bubbles. Wipe the rim with a clean cloth. Use a lid wand (or tongs) to remove the lids from the hot water. Place lids and dry rings on the jars. Tighten until just finger-tight (won't move with gentle pressure) but don't overtighten.

  10. To process the filled jars: Using a jar lifter, return jars to the pot with the warm water, placing them on the rack without touching one another or the sides of the pot. If the water does not cover the jars by 1 to 2 inches, add boiling water as needed. Cover the pot and bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes, then turn off the heat, uncover the pot and leave the jars in the water for 5 minutes. Use the jar lifter to transfer the jars to a towel, with some space between each jar. Let stand, without moving, for 24 hours. (If you do not want to process the jars in a boiling-water bath, you can refrigerate the preserves for up to 2 months.)

  11. After 24 hours, unscrew the rings and test the seals by pressing lightly on the center of each lid. They should have a slight concave indentation and neither yield to your pressure nor pop back. If a seal is not complete, you can process again in boiling water or store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Store at room temperature for up to 1 year if processed in a water bath.

Equipment: 5 half-pint (1-cup) canning jars, canning equipment

For this recipe, you will need the following canning equipment: 5 half-pint (1-cup) canning jars with rings and new lids; a canning pot with a rack or a large pot plus a heatproof rack that fits into the bottom of the pot; a chopstick; canning funnel; jar lifter; lid wand or tongs to help remove lids from hot water; and a clean cloth to wipe the jar rims. Canning equipment is available in hardware stores and at canning pantry.com (complete kits $43-$75).

Be sure to use a nonreactive pan, baking dish or bowl--stainless-steel, enamel-coated or glass--when cooking with acidic food (citrus, cranberries, tomatoes) to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart off colors and/or flavors.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

36 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 80
Calories 36
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 9g
Added Sugars 8g 16%
Protein 0g 0%
Total Fat 0g 0%
Vitamin A 3IU 0%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Folate 5mcg 1%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Magnesium 3mg 1%
Potassium 34mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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