Fresh Homemade Strawberry Jam from The Good Allotment Life Garden

Fresh Homemade Strawberry Jam

There’s nothing quite like the taste of Fresh Homemade Strawberry Jam . It’s a sweet, tangy delight that can transform your breakfast toast or afternoon scone into a gourmet treat. Even better, when you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it. No preservatives, no artificial flavours – just fresh, natural, delicious strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.

At The Good Allotment Life garden, we’re blessed with an abundance of seasonal fruits, including some of the juiciest strawberries you’ll find anywhere in the UK. And today, we’re going to show you how to turn these ruby red gems into your own homemade strawberry jam.

Tools and Utensils

• A large, heavy-bottomed pot
• A wooden spoon
• A ladle
• Jam jars with lids
• A funnel
• A thermometer

Ingredients

• 1kg fresh strawberries from ‘The Good Allotment Life’ garden
• 700g granulated sugar
• Juice of 2 large lemons

Method

1. Wash and Prep the Strawberries: Rinse your strawberries under cold water and remove the green stems. Cut the larger berries in half or quarters and leave the small ones whole.
2. Cook the Berries: Place the strawberries in your pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they start to break down and become syrupy. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
3. Add Sugar and Lemon Juice: Add the sugar and lemon juice to the pot and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Boil the Jam: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Boil for 10-15 minutes or until the jam reaches 105°C on a thermometer.
5. Test the Jam: To check if your jam is ready, place a spoonful on a cold plate and put it in the fridge for a few minutes. If it wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s done.
6. Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into sterilised jars, leaving about 1cm space at the top. Seal the jars while the jam is still hot.

Preserving and Serving Your Fresh Homemade Strawberry Jam

Your Fresh Homemade Strawberry Jam can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and consume within a month. I used Kilner Jars to preserve my jam, they’re great.

Serve your delicious homemade jam on fresh bread, scones, or use it as a filling for cakes. It’s also a wonderful gift for friends and family, a truly personal touch from your kitchen.

Making your own jam is a rewarding process, and the result is well worth the effort. So why not give it a try and taste the difference for yourself? Happy jam making!