Strawberry Cucumber Freezer Jam
I went On KATU afternoon live to make my Strawberry Cucumber Freezer Jam from Preservation Pantry. Now is the perfect time to make this jam because both strawberries and cucumbers are available at the farmers market.
https://katu.com/afternoon-live/cooking-recipes/strawberry-freezer-jam-with-a-kick
Illustration By Brooke Weeber, The Little Canoe
PRESERVATION PANTRY: Modern Canning from Root to Top & Stem to Core by Sarah Marshall (Regan Arts)
STRAWBERRY CUCUMBER FREEZER JAM
This is the only jam in which I use
store-bought pectin, because the
cold fruit pectin helps set the jam,
while keeping the cooling, crisp
attributes of the cucumber. When
working with strawberries, I find it
best to macerate them by letting
them sit in the sugar and lemon for
a few minutes. I made this jam for
a local doughnut shop and the
owners filled their churros with it
for a lovely sweet and spicy treat.
1½ pounds strawberries
2¼ cups blended cucumber
(about 1 pound, 5 ounces
cucumbers)
¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh
lemon juice, divided (from about
2 small lemons)
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons
cane sugar
9 tablespoons real fruit
instant pectin
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
3 fresh red Thai chilies
Makes 6 half-pints
Wash the freezer-safe jars or
plastic half-pints. At the
preparation station, wash the
strawberries and remove the
tops. Peel and seed
the cucumbers. Then blend the
cucumbers in a blender. Wash
and juice the lemons.
In a large glass mixing bowl,
whisk together 2 cups of cane
sugar, pectin, and 1 teaspoon of
salt until evenly mixed. Set aside.
In a 4-quart glass baking dish,
place the strawberries, the
remaining 3 tablespoons of cane
sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon
juice. Use a potato masher to
combine; let sit for 10 minutes.
While the strawberries are
macerating, put the blended
cucumber, chilies, and the
remaining ¼ cup of lemon juice
into the blender and process on
high until smooth. Add the
strawberry and cucumber mixtures
to the bowl. Mix well for 3 minutes.
Use a funnel and ladle to fill each
jar, leaving 1 inch of headspace,
if freezing the recipe. This jam can
be stored in the refrigerator for
up to 3 months or frozen for up
to 1 year.
TIP:
Check the baking/canning aisle
of your grocery store for real fruit
instant pectin.