Traverse City Cherry Freezer Jam Recipes

SWEET CHERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Start with clean dry plastic containers or glass jars.
• Stem and pit cherries. I love using this cherry pitter. Coarsely chop fruit with a sharp knife or chopper. You can also give a few pulses in the food processor - not too many though, you want chunks of fruit in your jam. Measure exactly 2 cups of cherries into large microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.
• Place bowl in microwave and cook on high power for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Most of the sugar should be dissolved. Taste the jam. If it still has a grainy texture, return to microwave for another minute or two.
• Combine water and pectin in small saucepan and stir till pectin is dissolved. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add to fruit mixture along with the lemon juice and stir 3 full minutes.
• Fill prepared containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers and cover with lids right away. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze extra containers up to one year. Thaw in refrigerator before using.

CHERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Jam: Remove stem and pits from cherries. Finely chop in ⅛ inch pieces ending up with (2) cups of prepared cherries. Combine fruit, lemon juice and sugar in a bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes. Mix water and the pectin together in small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over HIGH heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for 1 minute. Stir constantly for 3 more minutes. Pour into Freezer containers, cover with lids and allow to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store in freezer. After opening, store in refrigerator up tp 3 weeks.

GROUND CHERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Place ground cherries in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large saucepan.
• Stir sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the cherries. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring occasionally, until ground cherries soften, about 15 minutes. Add lemon gelatin; stir until dissolved. Skim any foam off the top of the jam with a slotted spoon.
• Pour jam into two 8-ounce freezer-safe containers. Let stand until thickened and set, about 30 minutes. Transfer to the freezer.

CHERRY FREEZER JAM RECIPE

Steps:

• Place six (250 mL) freezer-safe mason jars in the dishwasher and run through the wash cycle to sanitize. Leave the jars in the dishwasher until you're ready to fill them.
• Place the cherries and raspberries in a large bowl; mash with a potato masher or a large fork. Add the lime juice and water and stir.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and pectin; stir well with a wire whisk to make sure the pectin is evenly distributed. Stir the sugar mixture into the fruit mixture; stir constantly for 3 minutes.
• Ladle the jam into each jar leaving about 1/2" of headspace. Wipe the tops of the jars with a damp cloth and place the lids on the jars; fasten securely. Let the filled jars stand at room temperature for one hour.
• Label the jars and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days until the jam sets. Then you can freeze them up to one year.
• When opened, each jar will last, refrigerated, for about three weeks. You can also refrigerate the jars for up to three weeks; We do that with the first one and freeze the rest, taking them out of the freezer and putting them in the fridge the night before we want to use the jam.

30 MINUTES TO HOMEMADE SURE.JELL SOUR CHERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Rinse 5 (1-cup) plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly.
• Stem and pit cherries. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 2 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.
• Mix water and pectin in small saucepan. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 min. Add to fruit mixture; stir 3 min. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)
• Fill containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year. (If frozen, thaw in refrigerator before using.)

HOMEMADE SURE.JELL CHERRY FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Rinse 5 clean plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly.
• Stem and pit cherries. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 2 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Add lemon juice; mix well. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.
• Mix water and pectin in small saucepan. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 min. Add to fruit mixture; stir 3 min. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)
• Fill all containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year. (If frozen, thaw in refrigerator before using.)

SMALL-BATCH BASIL AND CHERRY TOMATO FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Inspect 2 pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine tomatoes, sugar, basil, onion, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, coriander, and cumin in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced by half, 2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat.
• Divide jam between jars. Allow to cool slightly before covering with lids. Refrigerate jam for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 4 months.