Blueberry Lemon Drop Jam Recipes

BLUEBERRY-LEMON JAM

Steps:

• Prepare jars and lids according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Combine blueberries, sugar, lemon peel, and lemon juice in a large saucepot.
• Bring to a rolling boil over high heat; stir frequently.
• Stir in pectin.
• Boil hard for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and skim foam (if necessary).
• Immediately ladle into hot jars, leaving a 1/4 inch headspace.
• Cap and process for 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.

BLUEBERRY LEMON DROP JAM

Steps:

• Place a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet or line it with a clean towel. Set aside. Place several small plates in the freezer to use later to test the consistency of the jam.
• Combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and salt in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Let stand until the berries start rendering their juice, about 15 minutes.
• Bring the blueberry mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The mixture will bubble up, rising high up the sides of the saucepan. Using a slotted spoon, skim off any light-colored foam as it collects on the edges. Cook the jam until it reaches the jelling point, 220 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 30 to 45 minutes. (If you don't have a thermometer, you can also dribble a few drops of the jam on a frozen plate. If it crinkles when you run a finger through it and your finger leaves a clear line in the jam, it's ready. If not, check it every 5 minutes or so.)
• While the jam is cooking, place the canning rack in the canner and fill the pot with water; bring to a boil over high heat. When the jam reaches the jelling point (220 degrees F) add the reserved lemon zest and stir to combine.
• Place eight clean 1/2-pint jars (see Cook's Notes) on the prepared baking sheet. (This will help contain any dribbles or spills and prevent the jars from directly touching the metal.) For each jar, insert a canning funnel and carefully ladle in the jam, allowing at least 1/4 inch of headroom. Clean the rims of the jars with a clean, damp towel and tightly secure the lids.
• Using tongs, place the jars on the rack in the canner. The water should cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Cover the canner. Return the water to a boil and boil gently for 15 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the jars to a towel to cool. If the seal works and fits properly, the metal lid will be slightly concave within 24 hours of processing. Store the unopened jars of jam at room temperature for up to 1 year. Once the jam is opened, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

BLUEBERRY LEMON JAM (NO PECTIN RECIPE)

Steps:

• In large stainless steel or enamel pot, crush 3 cups blueberries with a potato masher.
• Add remaining berries, sugar, lemon juice and lemon rind.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until thick, stirring often.
• Skim off any foam.
• Ladle jam into hot jars to within 1/4" of top rim.
• Can jam using preferred Safe Canning method.

BLUEBERRY LEMON JAM

Steps:

• Have ready four 8-ounce canning jars with 2-piece lids. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat so that the water is barely bubbling. Immerse the pint jars in the canning kettle. Place the rings and lids in a separate small saucepan and cover them with hot water. Leave the jars and lids immersed while you cook the jam. If you don't have a candy thermometer to tell you when the jam is done, place a small plate in the freezer.
• Combine the lemon slices, water, and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil and cook undisturbed until the lemon slices are translucent, about 20 minutes. Add the remaining 3/4 cup sugar and the blueberries; cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer, 20 to 30 minutes.
• If you don't have a candy thermometer, remove the plate from the freezer and immediately spoon a teaspoon of jam onto it. Let it sit for a few minutes until the jam cools, then tilt the plate and see how much it runs. It will probably not wrinkle and get firm the way jams with more pectin would, but it should be thick and only slightly run. If it's too runny, continue cooking it down, stirring frequently, until it thickens further.
• While the jam is still hot, ladle it into the hot, sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of head space at the top. Remove any air bubbles by running a long, nonmetallic utensil, such as a chopstick or wooden skewer, between the jar and the jam. Top with the prepared lids, close tightly, and process for 5 minutes in a hot-water bath with the jars submerged by at least 1 to 2 inches of water. Remove from the water and let cool, undisturbed, to room temperature.
• Besides making that telltale ping when it seals, the lid of a properly sealed jar should be slightly concave and not move; if the lid springs down and back when you press your finger in the center, the lid is unsealed. If it doesn't seal, process it again or store it in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature. Store sealed jars in a cool, dry place.