Barberry Jam Recipes

BARBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place fully ripened and cleaned fruit into a saucepan and add 2 cups of water.
• Cook the mixture slowly over a medium heat till the fruit softens.
• When cooked through, remove from heat and pass mixture through a fine sieve or strainer to remove the skins and seeds.
• Measure the pulp mixture and place into a saucepan with 1 cup sugar for each cup of pulp.
• Mix well and bring to a boil.
• Hold the boil for 15 minutes while stirring constantly.
• Skim off the foam and pour into hot sterile jelly jars and seal while hot.

BARBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Stem, wash and add the water to the berries.
• Cook until soft; mash and strain through a jelly bag.
• Measure the juice; boil uncovered for five minutes.
• Add an equal quantity of sugar to the juice and boil until jelly forms.
• Pour into sterilized glasses and seal.

BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss berries and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight, periodically tossing to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the berries burst and the juices start to boil, about 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot at this point.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, at first stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula, then more frequently as the juices thicken. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, 40 to 50 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on its type and ripeness: For example, strawberries are likely to retain more of their shape, while raspberries will break down almost entirely.
• As the jam cooks, the liquid will reduce, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles: This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• Once the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam returns to its earlier consistency, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook a few minutes more. (Note: Some fruit, like strawberries, contain more water and less natural pectin than say, a raspberry. This means the jam will never be quite as thick or gelled, but it will still be delicious).
• Remove from heat, and incorporate any of the add-ins listed (see notes). Pick out vanilla bean if you added it earlier. Divide jam between several 8-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them within a couple of weeks.

BARBERRY SPICED JAM

Steps:

• Wash and stem fully ripe berries.
• Make a sauce of the sugar and the diluted vinegar.
• Place the spices in a bag and add to the sauce.
• Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and cool.
• Then add the berries and heat slowly.
• Simmer till the berries are soft.
• Remove from heat, cover and place into the refrigerator to cool, allowing to remain overnight. Next day remove the spice bag and pour off the sauce.
• Pack the berries into hot, sterile jars.
• Heat the syrup just to the boiling point, then pour the hot sauce over the berries and seal.
• The jars should be allowed to age for 1 month before eating.