Classic Strawberry Preserves
- 3 pounds rinsed and hulled strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
- Layer the strawberries and sugar in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare for water-bath canning: Sterilize the jars and keep them hot in the canning pot, and put the flat lids in a heatproof bowl.
- (See below for details.)
- Using care not to damage the strawberries, gently transfer them with the sugar to a wide, 6- to 8-quart preserving pan.
- Bring to a simmer, gently stirring, then continue to cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour into a colander set over a large bowl.
- Return the juice to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Boil, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes.
- Return the strawberries and any accumulated juice to the pan, along with the lemon juice, and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer, stirring frequently, until the strawberries are glossy and very tender but still hold their shape, about 20 minutes.
- Skim off as much foam as you can, then remove from the heat and stir gently for a few seconds to distribute the fruit in the liquid.
- Ladle boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids.
- Using a jar lifter, remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel.
- Drain the water off the jar lids.
- Ladle the hot preserves into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top.
- Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars, then put a flat lid and ring on each jar, adjusting the ring so that it's just finger-tight.
- Return the jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch.
- Bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to process.
- Remove the jars to a folded towel and do not disturb for 12 hours.
- After 1 hour, check that the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each; if it can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed, and the jar should be refrigerated immediately.
- Label the sealed jars and store.
hulled strawberries, sugar, lemon juice
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/classic-strawberry-preserves (may not work)