Low Sugar Tayberry Jam

I first discovered tayberries at the farmer's market last weekend, buying a couple cartons on a whim. How bad can summer berries be, after all? And with that one simple purchase, I have a new favorite berry!! The flavor is sweet, almost jam-like in a way, and tastes like a cross between blackberries and raspberries to me. They seem kinda rare, at some very local grocery stores and u-pick farms, and I definitely recommend grabbing a couple pints if you ever come across them.

This is the first time I've used Pomona's Universal Pectin but I must say I am quite impressed! One little box costs around $4, but allows you to make several regular sized batches of jam. The pectin also sets quickly without the need for lots of sugar, resulting in jam that more closely resembles the original fruit.

Low Sugar Tayberry Jam

Ingredients

• 3 C mashed tayberries
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp calcium water (included with Pomona's)
• 1 1/2 tsp Pomona's Universal Pectin

Method

1. In a large saucepan over medium high to high heat, combine the mashed berries, sugar, lemon juice, and calcium water. Bring mixture to a boil.
2. Add the pectin and stir until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Bring to a boil again.
3. Fill sterilized canning jars with fruit mixture, leaving enough headspace for processing (about 1/4"). Seal with lids and bands; process for 10 minutes.

Makes about 4 half pints.

This jam would be fantastic with oatmeal, toast, biscuits, ice cream, or a baked tart!

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late season canning

I spent an afternoon last weekend canning some tomatoes and peaches after finding some recipes that I just had to try. First up, earl grey peach preserves. Sounds delicious and I was right in time, as I nabbed the very last peaches at my CSA farm, supplementing with ripe nectarines. This recipe makes a small batch, yielding about 1 quart, which I love. Small batch canning always feels special to me. Perhaps having a small quantity of something makes it feel extra special, to be savored, versus having a half dozen little jars that seem impossible to get through. I really love the addition of tea to what would be plain peach preserves. Definitely deserving of the "whoa!!!" upon the first taste it. And honestly, I'd take this again over the plain stuff any day.

Next in line, tomato marmalade. Wait, tomatoes plus sugar??? I've never been baffled by a recipe like this one I pulled from an old cookbook (picked up at random at an antique store, of all places). I apprehensively went to my CSA farm and filled up a huge bag with tomatoes in the name of experimentation. The sweet smells wafting from this stuff on the stove sealed the deal and trust me, it's hard to keep from eating this stuff by the spoonful.

Note: if you've never done any canning, you should do some research ahead of time to learn the proper techniques for preservation. Otherwise, these recipes could be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks, or frozen. Check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation as a starting point.

Ripe Tomato Marmalade

9 lbs tomatoes

6 C sugar

1 tsp salt

2 oranges

2 lemons

4 sticks cinnamon

2 tsp whole cloves

1. To peel tomatoes, bring a pot of water to a boil. Have a separate bowl of ice water at the ready. Submerge the tomatoes, a few at a time, in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, until the skin loosens slightly and begins to crack. Remove tomatoes to the ice water to stop the cooking process, then remove to a towel. Using your hands or a small paring knife, gently remove the skins, then core and slice.
2. In a large pan, combine tomatoes, sugar, and salt.
3. Use a peeler to remove the peel from the oranges and lemons. Thinly slice the peels and boil in water for 5 minutes; remove and add to the tomato mixture. Peel the remaining white pith from oranges and lemon, then slice fruit, removing any seeds as you go. Add the citrus to the tomatoes.
4. Tie the cinnamon and cloves into a cheesecloth spice bag; add to the tomatoes.
5. Bring the tomato mixture to a boil. Cook rapidly, stirring to prevent burning, until thickened, at least 45 minutes.
6. Remove the spice bag. If canning, pour the marmalade into hot sterile jars and seal for 15 minutes. Otherwise, pour into a container and let cool before storing in refrigerator or freezer.

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Blueberry, Lemon, and Chili Pepper Jam

I'm not going to lie...I went back to pick even more blueberries--for this recipe! It just didn't seem right to dig into my freezer stash to make this.

I made a blueberry, lemon, chili pepper jam the other day and had to have more. I was expecting it to be spicy, with the jalapeno and habenero peppers, but the peppers just add a bit of heat (not spiciness). It's really good! I think it would be good with cornbread or biscuits, you know, served up in a bowl...

Blueberry, Lemon, Chili Pepper Jam

Ingredients

• 3 pints blueberries
• 2 1/4 cups demerara sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick, toasted
• 1 lemon rind, sliced into thin strips
• 1 tbsp jalapeno, minced
• 1/2 tsp habenero, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp cilantro, sliced

Method

1. If using, prepare the canning pot, jars, lids, bands, etc.
2. In a large pot, add the blueberries and sugar; mash berries and blend well with the sugar. Add the cinnamon stick, lemon zest, peppers, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often. Jam should thicken slightly.
4. Stir in the cilantro and cook for about 1 minute. Remove cinnamon stick.
5. Fill into jars or container. If canning, process for 10 minutes, then sit at room temperature for 24 hours; refrigerate any jars that do not seal. Otherwise, refrigerate until ready for use.

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Blueberry Lemon Sauce

This recipe is so easy, I'm typing it up as the stuff is processing.

For more information about canning, check out this site by the National Center for Home Food Preservation: http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/general.html

Blueberry Lemon Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 pints blueberries, washed
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Canning supplies: canning pot, jars, lids, bands, etc.

Method

1. Prepare jars and lids per manufacturer instructions. Prepare canning pot with water to full boil, ready to process jars.
2. In a large pot, combine the lemon juice and zest, sugar, orange juice, and blueberries. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Lower the heat and simmer blueberry mixture for 2 minutes, stirring to completely dissolve the sugar.
4. Ladle sauce into jars, leaving 1/4in head space. Wipe rim clean, attach lid and band.
5. Process in canning pot for 15 minutes./li>
6. Remove jars and allow to cool on a rack. At this point, the jars make a cool popping sound as they are sealing. Allow jars to sit out for 24 hours. Place any jars that do not seal into the fridge.

If you don't care to can you can refrigerate for up to 3 months.

Makes about 3 pints..

This sauce is ridiculously good. It reminds me of a nice blueberry syrup, perfect for pancakes, french toast, or crepes.

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