Peach Freezer Jam

Suddenly, it was time to prep the Peach Freezer Jam!  This is the last variety that I make every summer.  Yes, it's been every summer for- well, years.

The easy to follow directions are located inside the box of 2 pouches of CERTO.  The local peaches were purchased.  The easy way to ripen them is to place 3 (stem side down) in a small paper lunch bag and fold the top of the bag down 2- 3 times.  In about 2- 3 days the peaches will ripen.  Depending on the size of the peaches.

Then the clean containers and all of the ingredients are located.  Follow the directions exactly when making Freezer Jams.

An easy method to remove the peel is to place 2 peaches carefully in a pot of simmering water.  Let sit for about 55- 60 seconds.  Then, remove carefully with a slotted spoon and place on a dish to cool, slightly.  The skin will peel off easily and then the delicious juicy peach can be removed from the pit.

Peach Freezer jam
(File Photo)

The directions were followed and the containers filled.  Lids were placed on top and snapped shut.  Then the Peach Freezer Jams sat on our dining room table undisturbed for 24 hours.  After the time period was up, the Freezer Jams were placed in our large freezer.  They will be enjoyed during the coming months. 

This is so yummy and it is easy to prepare!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

~ Peach Freezer Jam ~

Peach Freezer Jam

After enjoying a great week at the Cape (Cape Cod) it's time to finish preparing the Freezer Jams to enjoy during the other months of the year.  Now, it is peach season!  The local crop is so sweet, juicy and just plain yummy.  This past Thursday at our Farmers' Market, I purchased enough of this fresh fruit to make a batch of Peach Freezer Jam and also more that we could enjoy now.

They were not quite ripe, so 3 peaches were placed inside a brown paper lunch bag and the top closed.  In 2 days they riped, so the fresh peaches were placed in the fridge.

Ripening Peaches
(File Photo)

Yesterday, 7  peaches were used to prepare the delicious jam!  The sugar, lemon juice and Certo (liquid pectin) were all placed in their places on my kitchen counter.  The mixing bowls, spoons and measuring cups were added, along with the clean containers & lids.  I was getting down to business!  It was time to prepare the Peach Freezer Jam!!

After rinsing the peaches under cool water, the skins were removed.  It is easier to remove the skins if you place each peach in a pot of simmering water for about 60 seconds.  A slotted spoon comes in handy here to place it in the water and also to remove it.  Let the peaches cool a little on a plate lined with a paper towel.

Use a sharp knife and peel the skin.  Cut peach into slices.  Then, it's mashing time!  Mash the slices (a few at a time) with a (potato) masher.  Measure out needed amount and add to the required sugar in a large bowl.  Then, I was on my way to follow the rest of the directions that are included in the package of Certo.

~My Hints~  are handy to read!

Freezer Jam is just so delicious!  I am not a fan of commercial brands.  While growing up, my mom, sister & I always prepared jam the "cook over the stove" method.  For years now, I've been making Freezer Jams.  Yes, they are that good!!

***After following the directions, exactly (that are located in the Certo box) the jam containers then sit undisturbed for 24 hours.  After that time they are placed in the freezer.

Yes, I was daydreaming about the surf crashing on the shore two weeks ago at Nauset Light Beach while making jam yesterday.  We did see seals swimming at Nauset Beach, Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach.  It has been the summer of sharks looking for seals in the waters at the Cape.

Nauset Light Beach
at the Cape (Cape Cod)

My Peach Freezer Jam is now in our large freezer.  We'll enjoy it along with the Strawberry & Blueberry Jams in the coming year.  Hopefully, again, there is enough to last until next June!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

                 

~Blueberry Freezer Jam~

The 24 Hour Time Period

Seeing blue!  Oh, the local blueberries, that is!  Yesterday afternoon, we took the annual drive out to Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA to purchase the ripe, yummy, dark blue fruit at their farm stand.  Every year I purchase the year's supply from them and prep the the fresh berries for our large freezer.  As with strawberries gone are the days when "pick your own" is my preferred method of getting my supply to freeze for pancakes and other tasty faves.  Also, to make make jam.  Definitely Freezer Jam!  With our 90° + weather, it's the only jam to make.

Later yesterday afternoon the Ziploc Freezer Bags each containing 2 cups of the sweet fruit found their place in our freezer.  There is a quart of these delicious berries remaining in our fridge - for cereal, for fruit salads and for snacking!  Yum!
 

Packaged Blueberries!

This afternoon my agenda was 2 batches of Blueberry Freezer Jam.  The directions are found inside the CERTO box.  CERTO (Liquid Fruit Pectin), Lemon Juice, Sugar and Blueberries are needed along with the freezer containers.  My containers of choice are Ziploc 1 cup Freezer Containers. 

***I always have 1 extra container ready to use when pouring the liquid mixture into the cups.       

Follow the directions exactly when making this easy and yummy jam!   Only 1 batch is prepared at a time.  Today, I made 2 batches - each separately.  The containers are labelled and sitting on our Dining Room table - basically taking care of themselves.  After the 24 hour period, the containers will be placed in our freezer.  Yes, the time is also labelled.  :) 

Freezer Jam is very easy to prepare and tastes totally great!  Do you prepare this in the summer when the fruit is available? 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

         

~Strawberry Freezer Jam~

Strawberry Freezer Jam

T'is the season for ... local strawberries! Double Yum!  It's a great tradition - driving to Meadowbrook Farm in East Longmeadow to purchase a flat (8 qts.) + a couple more quarts of the sweet, delicious fresh local berries!  Gone are the days of "picking your own" in the fields, for me.  It's so much easier to purchase the fragrant nutritious fruit at the farm and then go forward with the plan.  :)

On Monday the strawberries were purchased.  Yes, there is more to the story!  In the afternoon my kitchen became a production line.  The berry stems were removed and the yummy fruit was given a rinse in cold water.  After draining, each berry was cut into 2 or 3 slices and 2 Cups of the fruit was placed in Quart Ziploc Freezer Bags.  About 4 teaspoons of Sugar was added to the individual bags before sealing, labeling and then placing them in our large freezer.  They will be defrosted during the year - a great topping for Oatmeal Pancakes, ice cream or in a fruit salad.

Ready for the freezer!

Today, sitting on the Dining Room table were 2 batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam doing its thing - preparing itself! Yesterday, the 1 cup Ziploc Freezer containers were cleaned and the Certo, Lemon Juice & Sugar located.  My plans for the 2 quarts of strawberries in the fridge was starting.  I could see 2 batches of Freezer Jam in my future.

(File Photo)

Growing up my mom, sister & I always made the year's supply of jams when the local fruit was in season.  Those were the days of "sweating over a hot stove" and using paraffin wax.  Years later, I discovered the Freezer Jam recipe inside a Certo box.  It was my "Industrial Revolution" moment!  From that day on I make Freezer Jams in the summer.

After following the recipe in the Certo box, the filled covered containers sit undisturbed for 24 hours.  After the 24 hour time period into the freezer they go.  Very easy + very tasty all year long!

1 batch of Freezer Jam is prepared at a time!  Do not double the batch - prepare each separately.  Follow the directions exactly.

Click here for more of my hints.      

It's after 4 PM and now both batches of Strawberry Jam are in the freezer.  Woohoo!  Do you prepare this easy tasty Jam?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Getting ready to prep the Freezer Jam

Here in Western MA when the local Strawberry season is ripe, it's a wonderful treat to savor the taste of the fresh, sweet, juicy strawberries!  I always prep a flat of this delicious fruit and store sliced 2- cup portions in Ziploc Freezer Bags to enjoy during the year.  There is a reserved place on the top shelf of our large freezer for them.

On the same freezer shelf, there's also a reserved spot for Strawberry Freezer Jam!  Yesterday, was Jam day.  While growing up my mom, sister & I "put up" jams every summer for our fam to enjoy all year.  Now, I no longer stir the concoction over a hot stove top and use a paraffin wax sealer - like back in the day.  Freezer Jam has been my method for quite a few years.  Those Ziploc 1-cup containers are so handy.

Freezer Jam is very easy to prepare.  A package of Certo Liquid Fruit Pectin contains the directions along with 2 pouches of the liquid pectin.  The directions need to be followed exactly.  Wash & dry the 1-cup containers that will be used. Click here for more of my helpful hints and suggestions!

This year the Freezer Jam is especially craved.  After losing all foods in our freezer last Halloween due to the Halloween Nor'easter surprise (with no electricity for 6 days), we purchased commercially prepared jam this past year.  The purchased jam/preserves do not compare in taste when the competition is Homemade Freezer Jam!

Yesterday, three batches were prepared - one batch at a time.  The line up was sitting on our table for the 24 hours - before each batch would be placed in its reserved place in our freezer.  Each container is labelled, including the time when it would take its place on the top shelf.  The last batch of Strawberry Freezer Jam will be stored at 4:30 PM.  :)

   

Strawberry Freezer Jam Line-Up

Do you make Freezer Jam?  It's scrumptious!  

Enjoy!

Yummy!

                

No More Freezer Jam Left?

Here in the Pioneer Valley during the month of June the fields of fresh, juicy strawberries will be ready to be picked. Roadside stands will also be selling the local sweet, red strawberries. This is a very pleasant thought, because as of two weeks ago our supply of Freezer Jam is gone. Yes, I did purchase a jar of strawberry jam in the grocery store, but it really does not taste as good as the delicious colorful jam that I prepared and we enjoyed all this past year.

Have you ever made Freezer Jam? What flavor do you make? The three flavors I prepare and freeze are Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach.

Before the season starts I purchase the needed supplies. It is so much easier to have the materials standing by to use when the fruit is ready to be picked. Now is the time for me to pay attention to Sales on the required items. Certo (Liquid Fruit Pectin) will be needed. I use 1- Cup Ziploc Containers. Occasionally, our local grocery stores have specials on Sugar and Ziploc Containers. I might even have a coupon or two to use! Lemon Juice is a staple in my fridge. Suddenly, the local fruit is ready to be picked or purchased and I will be preparing the jam.

Before I know it, the season for making Freezer Jam will be here! (Click here for extra hints.) The process is very easy – but the directions in the Certo package need to be followed, exactly. There are no short cuts. Oh, Freezer Jam tastes so much better than the store purchased varieties. It is time to get ready!

Yummy!

Smells Inviting, Tastes Great!

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day and my hubby was the chef!!! Nice!!! He used our outdoor grill – even better! These days we eat many meals of fish or of chicken, so enjoying Luscious London Broil that he prepared and grilled was totally a treat!

Earlier in the day he prepared the London Broil. (Click here for my printable recipe card with the directions.)

Parsley, Chopped Onion, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Basil, Oregano and (2) Bay Leaves were placed in a Gallon sized Ziploc Bag along with Lemon Juice. After rinsing the meat in cold water, add it into the bag. Carefully, remove the air from the Ziploc Bag and zip. Then place it on a dish and refrigerate the London Broil for at least 3 hours. 5 hours is better. During this time, carefully, turn the bag over at least once and continue refrigerating.

Before dinner heat the grill and then remove the meat from the Ziploc Bag. Place the London Broil on a large plate and spread about 2 TBS. Gulden’s Mustard on top. Place this side down on the hot grill. Carefully, place and spread 2 more TBS. Gulden’s Mustard on the meat side facing up.

Grill to desired doneness. Place on a clean plate and slice on the diagonal.

Luscious London Broil served with a Salad and microwaved Baked Potato – Yummy!
How sweet!

Enjoy!