Wednesday, July 02, 2008

~Strawberry Jam~

I always forget that mid to late-June is strawberry season here in Michigan. Thankfully I usually remember in the nick of time! Last Saturday I got a flat of strawberries. I made three batches of jam and a strawberry pie.

I wanted to share about the jam, because I made the first two batches sugar-free. Sure Jell makes a "no sugar or low sugar" pectin. The first batch I used Stevia to sweeten it. I was nervous about putting too much in because I didn't want it to end up bitter. It tastes good - but the next batch was better! Instead of the added one cup water, I added one cup of white grape juice concentrate. YUM!

Now, if you're going to make jam sugar free, you have to keep in mind that it is more of a fruit spread than "jam". The consistency is different, as well as the flavor - even the color is different. Instead of sugar with fruit, the fruit is the dominant flavor! I did make one batch of regular jam so I can have it on hand for gifts and company.

I plan on making several more batches of sugar-free jam (I'm thinking cherry, peaches, maybe another berry! mmmmm).

6 comments:

Susan said...

I made some sugar-free jam last year, and it didn't turn out too bad. The color is different, though; it's not as pretty as regular jam. Good job!

Mom of Five said...

Strawberries don't last long enough around here to "become" anything other than breakfast, lunch, snacks, and a topping for pound cake, lol. We actually grew our own strawberries this year, and they were even better than the ones from the local strawberry farm.

Since we live in the deep South, our strawberry season is in May. We're done with strawberries for the year. :(

Rae said...

I like that idea of using the white grape juice concentrate! sounds yummy! thanks for the ideas on jam-making; I just made some rhubarb jam last week but I've got strawberries to use up now...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Eileen said...

Sounds so good. I am not able to be on here as much as I would like. I was just wondering did you make any freezer jam? Oh it is so good the area of Michigan I am from they made it a lot. The sugar-free one is great that one I can have. I am from Michigan, though I am now in Florida. Thanks for sharing.

Mrs. U said...

"one cup of white grape juice concentrate"

So you used the thawed concentrate? And it wasn't diluted??

I would LOVE to make some sugar free preserves. What brand of stevi are you using? The one I bought is bitter. :(

His,
Mrs. U

Tammy said...

Eileen, I haven't made freezer jam before. I don't have a lot of room in my freezer, and one of the main reasons I make jam is for gifts. It is a little harder to give freezer jam for gifts. :-)

Mrs. U - yes, just the thawed concentrate - I didn't dilute it.

I just buy the Sweet Leaf stevia. You're probably using too much Stevia. Have you tried the packets? That is the easiest to use for tea and other sweetening purposes.

Hope that helps. :)
Tammy