Spiced Blueberry Jam
This spiced blueberry jam is berry-licious. Along with the recipe on how to make freezer jam, there is also a section on how to make the two types of sweeteners (apple-grape and pineapple) that can go into the jam.
Notes
- Apple-Grape Sweetener (yield 2 cups): 12-ounce can frozen apple juice concentrate, defrosted 12-ounce can frozen grape juice concentrate.
- Defrosted Pineapple Sweetener: 12-ounce can frozen pineapple juice concentrate, defrosted
For the apple-grape sweetener:
- In a large saucepan, combine the apple and grape juice concentrates.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat slightly and cook at a low boil 15 to 20 minutes.
- Measure; you should have about 2 cups.
- Transfer to a jar and cool. Cover and refrigerate.
For the pineapple sweetener:
- Pour the pineapple juice concentrate into a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil; reduce the heat slightly, and cook at a low boil 15 to 20 minutes.
- Measure; you should have about 1 cup. Transfer to a jar and cool. Cover and refrigerate.
- The sweeteners will have a 2-week shelf life in refrigeration.
Ingredients
- 7 cups blueberries (or two 12-ounce packages frozen blueberries)
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons apple-grape concentrate sweetener (see separate recipe)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
Instructions
Yield: 3 cups.
- If using fresh blueberries, wash, drain and remove any bits of stem.
- In a 4-quart saucepan, combine the berries, apple-grape sweetener, orange juice, water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and mace.
- Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Cook at a low boil 20 minutes, stirring often, until very thick. (To test for gelling, put about 1/2 teaspoon jam on a chilled saucer and place in freezer for 1 minute. If, when cooled, jam wrinkles when touched, it is done.)
- Skim the foam from the top of the jam during the cooking time.
- Ladle into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Cool, cover and place in freezer.