Homemade Raspberry Apricot Jam Recipes

RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss the raspberries, sugar and lemon zest and juice in a medium saucepan to combine, then mash slightly to release some of the berry juice. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the raspberries to macerate and the sugar to dissolve. Meanwhile, place a small plate in the freezer to chill; this will be used to test the doneness of the jam.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium, stirring frequently. Continue to cook until the jam becomes thick and syrupy, about 25 minutes. To test doneness, place a small amount of the jam onto the chilled plate and freeze for 2 minutes. Drag your finger or spoon through it. If the jam holds its shape and thickness, the jam is done; remove from the heat. If it's runny, continue to cook and test again in 5-minute increments. Once the jam has reached the right consistency, transfer to jars and cool completely before storing, covered tightly. Jam will keep in the refrigerator up to 6 months.

HOMEMADE RASPBERRY APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Add the apricots, raspberries, and sugar to a large Dutch oven.
• TIP: At this point rub some butter around the top of the Dutch oven. The fat (butter) keeps the jam from boiling over. Boiled over jam is a real mess!
• Slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat (it took me about 30 minutes to get to this point), stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn the heat up a little and cook rapidly (stirring often to prevent sticking) until the jam reaches the gelling point. For me this took about 17 more minutes.
• TIP: Watch out for spitting. The closer the jam gets to the gelling point, the further it will spit - and it's hot!
• Use the plate method to check for gelling or use a digital thermometer. Gelling is reached at 220 degrees or 8 degrees above the boiling point of water.
• Spoon the hot jam into prepared jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace.
• Wipe the lip of each jar with a damp paper towel, top the jars with a lid and a lid ring.
• Process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

SHERRY ROSEMARY APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Wash 2 pint jars (or a few half-pint jars) so that they are ready to go when your preserves are ready to be canned.
• Add the apricots to the boiling water in a bowl along with 1/2 cup sherry and the rosemary sprigs. Let soak until the apricots are rehydrated, about 30 minutes. Strain the apricots, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Add the apricots, reserved liquid and lemon zest to a large non-reactive pan. Stir in the pectin.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and add the sugar, lemon juice, chopped rosemary and remaining 1/4 cup sherry. Boil until the sugar is dissolved and the jam is thick (you can check by spooning the jam onto the back of a wooden spoon; if you can run your finger through it without it spreading, it is good!) for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked jam to the jars. Let the jam cool to room temperature. Serve right away, or keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.