Red Raspberry 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.

RASPBERRY JAM WITHOUT PECTIN

Steps:

• Bring raspberries to a boil in a very large pot. Cook for 4 minutes. Add sugar and lemon juice; stir well. Bring back to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook for another 4 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and pour jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch of space at the top. Seal and transfer jars into a boiling water bath. Make sure jars are covered with at least 1 inch of water; let sit for 5 minutes. Lift jars and let them cool in a draft-free place without touching, 8 hours to overnight.

OLD-FASHIONED RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• 1. Place sugar in an ovenproof shallow pan and warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 15 minutes. (Warm sugar dissolves better.)
• 2. Place berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing berries with a potato masher as they heat. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• 3. Add warm sugar, return to a boil, and boil until mixture will form a gel (see tips, below), about 5 minutes.
• 4. Ladle into sterilized jars and process as directed for Shorter Time Processing Procedure .
• Tip: To make a small boiling-water canner, tie several screw bands together with string or use a small round cake rack in the bottom of a large covered Dutch oven. Be sure the pan is high enough for 2 inches (5 cm) of water to cover the jars when they are sitting on the rack.

QUICK RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Cook over high, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer 3/4 cup jam to an airtight container. Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain remaining jam into container, pressing on solids. Discard seeds. Stir jam to combine: Let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate, up to 1 month.

RED RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place a round wire rack in the bottom of a large stockpot. The rack should fit as snugly as possible and should stand 1/2 to 1 inch above the bottom of the pot. Wash five half-pint jars, lids, and screw bands with hot, soapy water; rinse well. Stand the glass jars on the rack, and add the lids; it's not necessary to add the screw bands. Fill the pot with enough water to cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; an additional 1 to 2 inches of space should remain below the rim of the pot so the water doesn't overflow. Cover, and bring the water to a simmer (180 degrees.; let the lids and jars simmer 10 minutes. (The lids and jars can continue to simmer until you're ready to fill them.)
• Using a wooden spoon, lightly crush raspberries in a large, heavy saucepan. Place the pan over high heat, and add pectin and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Slowly add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Return the mixture to a boil, and let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Using a jar lifter, remove a jar from the simmering water, and empty the water back into the stockpot. Place the jar on a clean surface, and insert a canning funnel. Using a ladle, pour the jam through the funnel into the jar; fill to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Remove the funnel; wipe the rim with a clean, damp towel. Using the tongs, lift a lid from the hot water; place the lid, sealant side down, on the filled jar. Screw down the band, and tighten firmly, being careful not to force it. With the lifter, stand the filled jar in the simmering water. Repeat with the remaining jam and jars, making sure the jars aren't touching the sides of the pot and are spaced about 1 inch apart.
• Raise the heat to high, cover the stockpot, and bring the water to a boil. Process the jars in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the water bath with the jar lifter, and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for 24 hours. As the jam cools, a vacuum will form inside the jar, sealing it; you might hear a popping sound. A slight indentation in the lid indicates the vacuum seal; the lid should not flex up and down when pressed firmly with a finger. Store in a cool, dry, dark place for up to 1 year.