We just had a dumping of snow here in New Brunswick and it’s a marshmallow world outside my window. My view of my backyard this morning is picture postcard perfect. My chicken coops and shed are covered in a blanket of white. It’s around this time of year I yearn to get out for walks in the woods, and breathe in that fresh, crisp air and then come home and have a piping hot coffee or tea to warm up. You know what goes wonderfully with a piping hot drink? A fresh scone or biscuit or jam-jam loaded with this delicious holiday spread! Ruby red and spiced perfectly with those familiar warm spices of cinnamon and cloves, this jam makes for a wonderful hostess gift along with fresh baked goods or a scone mix to make on their own. Or simply for you and your family to enjoy and serve to your holiday guests.
Cranberry Christmas Jam
Equipment
- 1 water bath canner
- 6 250ml mason jars
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 box powdered pectin
Instructions
- In a large pot combine cranberries, strawberries, orange juice and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring occasionally. Once cranberries begin to pop, use a potato masher or immmersion blender to smash fruit. It does not need to be puréed. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, cloves. Cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
- Stir pectin into the mixture, stirring constantly. Bring jam to a rolling boil and cook 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and skim foam. Pour into 6 sterilized jars leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Seal and place into a water bath canner for 10 minutes. Remove from canner without tipping jars and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours before storing.
I feel so lucky to have a little cranberry bog steps away from my house. It’s obviously always been there and I’ve lived here for 27 years now. My husband discovered it several years ago now just by coincidence. He was looking at an area of the yard along our property line that goes along our neighbours side yard because we have had a lot of water just sitting in the backyard after a heavy rain or in the spring when the snow melts. He was contemplating how to address the situation when he came upon these beautiful little crimson gems. We’ve enjoyed picking them together each fall to freeze for homemade cranberry sauce and desserts. Now I’ve found another wonderful way to enjoy them! I hope you will enjoy making and eating this jam as much as we have!