Description
Sweet summer memories bloom with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, blending tangy rhubarb and luscious strawberries into a perfectly balanced spread. Country gardens inspire this classic preserve that connects family traditions and delicious seasonal harvests you can savor all year long.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 2 cups hulled and chopped fresh strawberries
- 3 cups chopped fresh rhubarb (about 3–4 stalks)
Thickening Agent:
- 1 box (1.75 ounces/49.6 grams) powdered fruit pectin
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Chop rhubarb and strawberries into uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking and smooth texture.
- Transfer fruit to a spacious heavy-bottomed pot, incorporating lemon juice to enhance flavor and prevent browning.
- Gently heat the mixture over medium-low temperature, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and encourage fruit breakdown.
- Once fruits soften and release natural juices, sprinkle pectin evenly across the surface, stirring thoroughly to eliminate any lumps.
- Gradually elevate heat, allowing the mixture to reach a vigorous, rolling boil that cannot be disrupted by stirring.
- Swiftly incorporate sugar, continuously whisking to guarantee complete dissolution and prevent crystallization.
- Maintain aggressive boiling for precisely 60 seconds, which activates pectin and ensures proper jam consistency.
- Remove from heat, carefully skimming accumulated foam to create a polished, clear preserve.
- Sterilize glass jars with boiling water, then carefully ladle hot jam, leaving minimal headspace to prevent contamination.
- Wipe jar rims meticulously with a clean cloth to ensure proper sealing.
- Apply sterilized lids and rings, tightening gently but securely.
- Process sealed jars in a rolling water bath for 10 minutes or refrigerate immediately for short-term storage.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar for a tangier jam or adding more for a sweeter profile, depending on the ripeness of your fruits.
- Ensure proper pectin activation by maintaining a vigorous boil for exactly one minute, which helps the jam set correctly without becoming too runny or too stiff.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries and crisp rhubarb for the most vibrant flavor and best texture, avoiding overripe or soft fruits that might compromise the jam’s consistency.
- Experiment with additional spices like vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the jam’s complexity and create a unique homemade twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg