Plum Crazy: Rich and Delicious Plum Jam
2 votos | 2051 views
1 evaluación | 0 comentarios
%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ENew%20lids%20and%20screwtops%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ECanning%20tongs%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ECanning%20funnel%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETools%20of%20the%20trade%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E1.%20Wash,%20half%20and%20pit%20the%20plums.%20Place%20in%20a%20large,%20heavy%20non-reactive%20stockpot%20(my%20Le%20Creuset%20was%20perfect),%20add%20the%20sugar,%20water%20if%20using%20and%20the%20lemon%20juice.%20Cook%20over%20medium%20heat,%20stirring%20constantly%20to%20avoid%20sticking.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E2.%20While%20the%20plums%20are%20cooking,%20prepare%20the%20Mason%20jars.%20Wash%20the%20jars%20and%20lids%20in%20warm%20soapy%20water%20and%20rinse%20thoroughly.%20In%20a%20large%20canning%20pot%20(or%20regular%20oversized%20stockpot),%20place%20the%20clean%20jars,%20submerge%20in%20water%20and%20bring%20to%20a%20simmering%20boil%20until%20ready%20to%20use.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E3.%20The%20jam%20is%20ready%20when%20the%20plums%20are%20completely%20soft%20and%20the%20liquid%20has%20become%20very%20thick%20and%20syrupy.%20It%20took%20about%203%20hours%20for%20my%204%20lb%20of%20plums;%20probably%20less%20time%20would%20be%20required%20if%20I%20hadn't%20added%20the%20water.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EAlmost%20ready!4.%20To%20test%20if%20the%20jam%20is%20ready%20to%20can,%20place%20a%20small%20saucer%20in%20the%20freezer.%20When%20the%20jam%20seems%20to%20be%20the%20right%20consistency,%20place%20a%20spoonful%20on%20the%20plate%20and%20put%20back%20in%20the%20freezer%20for%20one%20minute.%20Run%20your%20finger%20through%20the%20jam%20on%20the%20plate:%20if%20the%20jam%20runs%20together,%20it's%20not%20ready;%20if%20the%20funnel%20you've%20created%20with%20your%20finger%20remains%20separate,%20the%20jam%20is%20ready%20to%20can.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EYum...%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E5.%20To%20can,%20first%20prepare%20the%20jars.%20Using%20the%20tongs,%20carefully%20lift%20and%20empty%20each%20jar%20of%20water,%20pouring%20the%20water%20back%20in%20the%20stockpot%20(keep%20the%20water%20simmering,%20replenishing%20if%20needed%20to%20ensure%20that%20the%20jars%20will%20be%20completely%20covered%20by%20one%20inch%20when%20placed%20back%20in%20the%20pot).%20Place%20on%20a%20clean%20tea%20towel.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E6.%20When%20all%20of%20the%20jars%20are%20ready,%20you're%20ready%20to%20can!%20Place%20the%20funnel%20in%20a%20jar%20and%20carefully%20ladle%20the%20hot%20jam%20in,%20being%20careful%20to%20leave%20a%20%C2%BD%22%20at%20the%20top.%20Wipe%20any%20excess%20jam%20off%20the%20top%20of%20the%20jar,%20place%20a%20lid%20on%20the%20jar,%20and%20put%20a%20metal%20band%20(threaded%20lid)%20on,%20turning%20so%20that%20the%20band%20is%20on%20securely%20but%20not%20too%20snugly.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E7.%20Using%20the%20tongs,%20carefully%20place%20the%20filled%20jars%20back%20in%20the%20water,%20and%20bring%20to%20a%20boil.%20Be%20sure%20that%20the%20water%20is%20a%20generous%201%20inch%20above%20the%20jars.%20Boil%20gently%20for%2010%20minutes,%20remove%20the%20jars%20with%20the%20tongs%20and%20place%20on%20the%20tea%20towel.%20Let%20the%20jam%20cool%20for%2012%20hours%20before%20storing.%20Your%20jam%20jars%20will%20%22pop%22%20as%20they%20are%20cooling:%20this%20is%20a%20good%20thing!%20It%20means%20the%20jar%20is%20properly%20sealed.%20Once%20the%20jars%20are%20cooled,%20you%20can%20test%20the%20seals%20in%20the%20following%20ways%20(source:%20pickyourown.org%20-%20see%20link%20below):%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%22Option%201:%20Press%20the%20middle%20of%20the%20lid%20with%20a%20finger%20or%20thumb.%20If%20the%20lid%20springs%20up%20when%20you%20release%20your%20finger,%20the%20lid%20is%20unsealed.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EOption%202:%20Tap%20the%20lid%20with%20the%20bottom%20of%20a%20teaspoon.%20A%20clear%20ringing%20sound%20means%20a%20good%20seal.%20If%20it%20makes%20a%20dull%20sound,%20the%20lid%20is%20not%20sealed.%20If%20food%20is%20in%20contact%20with%20the%20underside%20of%20the%20lid,%20it%20will%20also%20cause%20a%20dull%20sound%20(that%20is%20not%20a%20problem%20or%20a%20sign%20of%20spoilage).%20If%20the%20jar%20is%20sealed%20correctly,%20it%20will%20make%20a%20ringing,%20high-pitched%20sound.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EOption%203:%20Hold%20the%20jar%20at%20eye%20level%20and%20look%20across%20the%20lid.%20The%20lid%20should%20be%20concave%20(curved%20down%20slightly%20in%20the%20center).%20If%20center%20of%20the%20lid%20is%20either%20flat%20or%20bulging,%20it%20may%20not%20be%20sealed.%22%20For%20more%20great%20tips%20and%20a%20detailed%20FAQ%20on%20home%20canning,%20see%20the%20Pick%20Your%20Own%20web%20site.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EHappy%20canning!%3C/p%3E){kind=link}
Evaluaciones
21 de Septiembre de 2010
Looks really tasty. I don't can, but I will definitely pass it on.
¡La cocina más grande del mundo!
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21 de Septiembre de 2010