To prepare a delicious strawberry jam, the first step is to ensure that the fruits are perfectly clean and fresh. So, we start by cleaning the strawberries, removing the stems and any spoiled parts. Then, we wash them with cold water, being careful to rinse them well to remove any impurities. Once the strawberries are clean, we place them in a cooking pot, preferably made of stainless steel or enamel, to avoid unwanted chemical reactions.
In this pot, we form an even layer of strawberries, over which we sprinkle sugar. It is important to respect the proportions to achieve a perfect jam: for every layer of 500 grams of strawberries, we add 300 grams of sugar. We continue to alternate layers of strawberries and sugar until we have exhausted all the ingredients, ensuring that the last layer is always sugar. This will help extract the juices from the strawberries, thus forming a delicious syrup.
After we finish arranging the strawberries and sugar, we let the pot sit for 2-3 hours. This step is essential as it allows the sugar to dissolve and begins the maceration process, contributing to the intensification of the flavors. Once the fruits have released enough juice, we place the pot over medium heat and let the jam boil. It is important to stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
To check if the jam is ready, we can do a simple test: pour a spoonful of jam onto a cold plate and, after a few moments, tilt the plate. If the jam runs off slowly, it means it has reached the desired consistency. Once we have achieved the ideal texture, we add the sachet of lemon salt, which will not only help preserve the color but also enhance the flavor.
After we turn off the heat, it is time to deal with the jars. They must be perfectly clean and dry. We pour the hot jam into the prepared jars, filling them almost to the brim. We apply the lids and screw them on tightly. An important trick to ensure optimal preservation is to place the jars upside down. This will create a vacuum inside, protecting the jam from bacterial contamination and keeping it in excellent condition for a long time. Thus, we will be able to enjoy the fresh taste of summer during the cold season, brought directly from the jar.
In this pot, we form an even layer of strawberries, over which we sprinkle sugar. It is important to respect the proportions to achieve a perfect jam: for every layer of 500 grams of strawberries, we add 300 grams of sugar. We continue to alternate layers of strawberries and sugar until we have exhausted all the ingredients, ensuring that the last layer is always sugar. This will help extract the juices from the strawberries, thus forming a delicious syrup.
After we finish arranging the strawberries and sugar, we let the pot sit for 2-3 hours. This step is essential as it allows the sugar to dissolve and begins the maceration process, contributing to the intensification of the flavors. Once the fruits have released enough juice, we place the pot over medium heat and let the jam boil. It is important to stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
To check if the jam is ready, we can do a simple test: pour a spoonful of jam onto a cold plate and, after a few moments, tilt the plate. If the jam runs off slowly, it means it has reached the desired consistency. Once we have achieved the ideal texture, we add the sachet of lemon salt, which will not only help preserve the color but also enhance the flavor.
After we turn off the heat, it is time to deal with the jars. They must be perfectly clean and dry. We pour the hot jam into the prepared jars, filling them almost to the brim. We apply the lids and screw them on tightly. An important trick to ensure optimal preservation is to place the jars upside down. This will create a vacuum inside, protecting the jam from bacterial contamination and keeping it in excellent condition for a long time. Thus, we will be able to enjoy the fresh taste of summer during the cold season, brought directly from the jar.
Ingredients
Strawberry jam recipe 2 kg strawberries 1.5 kg sugar a packet of lemon salt