First Jams

We missed the strawberry season but have been all over the raspberries. We made one batch of regular jam with your normal gobs of sugar but since last year I wanted to try a new type of pectin that allows you to experiment more, use no sugar, less sugar, honey or, sugar substitutes and still sets up. So Greg headed to the Coop and picked up some Pomona's Universal Pectin to test it out. We made two batches. Seedless raspberry and mixed berry. The seedless raspberry has great flavor. It tastes just like raspberries (sweetened with a little honey). But, I accidentally used the jam section and I think we were supposed to use the jelly directions so it didn't set up as well. It still tastes great just a lot softer of a jam. The mixed berry we have yet to try but it set up a lot better. We will try a few more batches of different things ( I think Greg wants to try a pepper jelly) but I think all in all I like it a lot better. You just have more options than the 'traditional' pectin.

Greg also picked up this handy food mill and it made quick work of the berries (and took out a lot of the seeds) I am hoping to use it for apple sauce when that time comes.

~ Merriann