Elevate your culinary adventures with the wholesome goodness of homemade Elderberry Jam. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a jar of delightful sweetness that's perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into yogurt, or incorporating into your favorite recipes. Follow this straightforward recipe, suitable for both fresh and frozen elderberries, and experience the satisfaction of crafting your own flavorful jam.
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces elderberries (fresh or frozen)
- 12 ounces sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Yield: About 20-24 ounces of jam
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- If using fresh elderberries, ensure they are washed and dried.
- For frozen elderberries, allow them to thaw before proceeding.
-
Crush and Release:
- Place the prepared elderberries in a pot, and using a potato masher, gently crush them. This step helps release the natural juices of the elderberries.
- Place the prepared elderberries in a pot, and using a potato masher, gently crush them. This step helps release the natural juices of the elderberries.
-
Sweeten and Tang:
- Stir in the sugar and add the lemon juice to the crushed elderberries. This simple combination of sweetness and tanginess sets the foundation for a delicious jam.
- Stir in the sugar and add the lemon juice to the crushed elderberries. This simple combination of sweetness and tanginess sets the foundation for a delicious jam.
-
Gentle Simmer:
- Set the pot on low heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes. The low heat allows the flavors to meld, creating a luscious and aromatic jam.
- Set the pot on low heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes. The low heat allows the flavors to meld, creating a luscious and aromatic jam.
-
Readiness Check:
- To determine if the jam is ready, perform a quick test. Place a small amount of jam on a frozen plate and refrigerate for 3 minutes.
- If the jam forms a skin, it is ready. If not, return it to the heat for an additional 5-10 minutes.
-
Jar and Preserve:
- Once the jam reaches the desired consistency, ladle it into sterilized jars.
- Choose between immediate refrigeration for regular use or a hot water bath to make the jam shelf-stable.
Farm-Fresh Elderberries at Sickler's Circle View Farm:
Explore the pure essence of our farm's elderberries, available at Sickler's Circle View Farm. Grown under the nurturing embrace of sunshine and water, our elderberries are cultivated without the use of pesticides or chemicals.
Located at 450 Bridgeton Pike, Monroeville, NJ 08343:
- Wednesday - Friday: 11 AM - 5 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM
Embrace the simplicity of homemade elderberry jam, savoring the taste of nature's bounty. Join us in supporting local farming and relish the goodness that comes from our farm to your table.
