My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam

April G · 08-31-2011, 11:51 AM

I have plum trees, and we picked about a 1/3 a box yesterday. I bought some canning jars and no sugar added pectin last night (I'm using agave instead of sugar).

So... do I still sterilize the jars before making freezer jam?

If so, can I sterilize them in the oven? I don't have one of those thingies for pulling them out of boiling water, and quite frankly the idea of pulling hot glass out of boiling water freaks me out.

I want to use my food processor, but the instructions in the pectin box says I MUST mash by hand and not puree.

Why? I like my jam smooth, not lumpy.

For peeling and pitting... I want to blanche (sp?) the plums so the peels just slip off... How long do I immerse them in boiling water? How long in ice water?

greengirl19 · 08-31-2011, 12:04 PM

I don't know about some of your questions, but I just sterilize jars by running them through the dishwasher, it's much easier and you can do a big batch at once.

April G · 08-31-2011, 12:07 PM

No dishwasher.

And our water is rainwater collected in cisterns so merely washing isn't a good idea.

DoulaClara · 08-31-2011, 12:23 PM

The oven would steralize them, but I think my fear would be a jar exploding in the dry heat. I've had jars break in boiling water before, and while it was a pain to turn it off, cool it down, empty and refill, it was all contained to the pot. What if you boiled the jars and then after it boiled, turned off the burner and let it cool enough to reach in and get them (holding onto the bottom of the outside of the jars)? I would still steralize for freezer jam, as it would end up in the fridge anyway at some point, and potentially grow something gross.

I think if you slice a little x into the bottoms of the plums, a minute in the boiling water should loosen the skins. How ripe are they? I ice fruits until they're cool enough to handle (although I usually get a little backed up in the assembly line, and a few extra minutes in the ice water never hurt anything).

I'm not really sure about the "no puree" thing either.

That's a good one.

April G · 08-31-2011, 12:32 PM

The plums are perfectly ripe for eating.

But there are a lot... too many for just eating. And dh doesn't like eating fruit with pits.

PrincessAnika · 08-31-2011, 12:59 PM

what if you boiled the water for washing first? my mom always either just runs the jars through the dishwasher or hand-washes in hot water - they are well water.
on skins - i would think it would work like peaches - just leave them in the cold water til they are able to be handled and if they are there longer oh well no big deal.
not sure on the rest, sorry

08-31-2011, 11:51 AM	#1
April G Deactivated Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14,020	My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam I have plum trees, and we picked about a 1/3 a box yesterday. I bought some canning jars and no sugar added pectin last night (I'm using agave instead of sugar). So... do I still sterilize the jars before making freezer jam? If so, can I sterilize them in the oven? I don't have one of those thingies for pulling them out of boiling water, and quite frankly the idea of pulling hot glass out of boiling water freaks me out. I want to use my food processor, but the instructions in the pectin box says I MUST mash by hand and not puree. Why? I like my jam smooth, not lumpy. For peeling and pitting... I want to blanche (sp?) the plums so the peels just slip off... How long do I immerse them in boiling water? How long in ice water?

08-31-2011, 12:04 PM	#2
greengirl19 Rose Trellis For G Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: close but not close enough to the beach Posts: 2,806	Re: My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam I don't know about some of your questions, but I just sterilize jars by running them through the dishwasher, it's much easier and you can do a big batch at once. __________________ Wife to V since 5/19/07 my hard workin man Mom to G since 8/10/09 my crazy 10 yo Z since 9/10/13 my wild thing 6 yo Surprise! N born 2/8/16 terrific 4 yo my help comes from the Lord above

08-31-2011, 12:07 PM	#3
April G Deactivated Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14,020	Re: My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam No dishwasher. And our water is rainwater collected in cisterns so merely washing isn't a good idea.

08-31-2011, 12:23 PM	#4
DoulaClara Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the street has no name Posts: 17,002	Re: My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam The oven would steralize them, but I think my fear would be a jar exploding in the dry heat. I've had jars break in boiling water before, and while it was a pain to turn it off, cool it down, empty and refill, it was all contained to the pot. What if you boiled the jars and then after it boiled, turned off the burner and let it cool enough to reach in and get them (holding onto the bottom of the outside of the jars)? I would still steralize for freezer jam, as it would end up in the fridge anyway at some point, and potentially grow something gross. I think if you slice a little x into the bottoms of the plums, a minute in the boiling water should loosen the skins. How ripe are they? I ice fruits until they're cool enough to handle (although I usually get a little backed up in the assembly line, and a few extra minutes in the ice water never hurt anything). I'm not really sure about the "no puree" thing either. That's a good one. __________________ "As long as I learn I will make mistakes..." ~Beastie Boys

08-31-2011, 12:32 PM	#5
April G Deactivated Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14,020	Re: My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam The plums are perfectly ripe for eating. But there are a lot... too many for just eating. And dh doesn't like eating fruit with pits.

08-31-2011, 12:59 PM	#6
PrincessAnika Rose Garden dreaming of purple butterflies & bravehearted seahorsies :) Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 9,934	Re: My first time canning jam... questions about freezer jam what if you boiled the water for washing first? my mom always either just runs the jars through the dishwasher or hand-washes in hot water - they are well water. on skins - i would think it would work like peaches - just leave them in the cold water til they are able to be handled and if they are there longer oh well no big deal. not sure on the rest, sorry __________________ ~~anika~~ my alter ego DH 3/17/07 Angel m/c 6/12/07 @39d, 4/19/16 @6dpo, 8/3/16 @37d DD1 - K (peanut) 7/26/09 DD2 - M (monkey) 4/19/11 DS1 - C (squishy) 3/23/13 DS2 - J (rascal) 2/4/15 DS3 - A 6/16/17 11/9/7/5/3 ::Q:: I add a little excitement, a little spice, to your lives, and all you do is complain. Where is your adventurous spirit, your imagination? add me on FB ISFj/p - depends on the day of the week. type 2. i think.

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