Do not use over-ripe strawberries. To make the jam set reasonably quickly only use strawberries that are just ripened.
You will need.........
3lb (1.4kg.) Strawberries.
3lb (1.4kg.) Granulated Sugar.
A dinner plate left in the fridge to cool.
Preparation:
Wash all the Strawberries carefully. Take out the stalk and hull and cut up the strawberries into smaller pieces.
Prepare your jars: you will need a minimum of five empty jars (depending on their size) with lids. Ensure they are clean and sterilised. Warm in an oven on about 100 degrees C or keep in very hot water until needed.
Making:
Put the Strawberries into a large pan and cook slowly on a gentle heat until they are all soft and cooked and the juices run out - about 10 to 15 minutes, pressing the strawberries against the side of the pan to help extract the juices.
Turn up the heat a little and gently add all the sugar a bit at a time until it is all dissolved.
Remove any scum off the top with a large spoon.
Bring the fruit to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally and let the fruit simmer for about 10-12 minutes. Do not feel tempted to increase the heat to boil quickly. The key is a gentle rolling boil. If any froth still appears then remove it with a large spoon.
After the 10 to 12 minutes test the jam for setting. Place a small amount of jam on the plate taken out of the fridge. Leave for a few minutes and then tilt the plate and the jam should crinkle and not run. If the jam is still runny then boil gently for a further 2 minutes. Test again.
When you are satisfied that it is now ready remove from hob and allow to cool a little.
Remove a jar at a time from the hot water and dry with a clean tea towel and immediately fill up with the cooled jam (use a plastic jug to pour it into the jars). Just place the lid on top of the jar but do not screw on or tighten yet - this stops any dust etc from going into the jam whilst cooling.
Leave the jars for a few hours to cool down. Later, whilst still a little warm screw down the tops, no too tightly but airtight! Whilst now leaving to cool down completely there will be a vacuum formed inside the jar and this help to preserve the jam for a very long time!!
Label the jars and store in a cool place ready for use.
