Friday, April 5, 2013

Strawberry & Banana Jam

Strawberries and bananas go together very well. As Jam they are great! 
Strawberries are coming in season soon and I always make at least one batch of strawberry jam every spring.  My favorite recipe is one of my mother’s recipes that also uses bananas in the jam.  I must confess that although I helped my mom some when she made it, I never had the confidence to try it on my own.  The spring after she passed away I remembered that there would be no fresh jam that season; unless I made it myself of course.  So I dug around in her old recipe books and found the loose sheet of paper where she had written her jam recipe splattered with pink strawberry juice spots.

It’s not nearly as hard as I had imagined to make.  It just takes some fore thought and prep. I recommend that you make it when you have time to spare and no little ones under foot. The cooking strawberries and sugar get very hot and can splash.  Once you get started with the cooking it’s not a good idea to have interruptions or take a phone call.  Stick with it and you will be rewarded with a delicious jam that’s not as hard to make, different and delicious
I have to say that I am not in any way knowledgeable about making jams. Aside from some experimenting with it when I was first learning to cook many years ago, the only knowledge I have is from watching my mother make jams.  What I have written here is what I observed her doing and what I have done with success. You might like to consult other recipes to see if my directions are correct. I know that the altitude where you live plays a part in determining how long you process the jam after it is cooked and in the jars. Where I live our altitude is around 1000-1200 ft.  You can store the jam in the freezer or refrigerator if you want to skip the ‘canning’ process to make it shelf storage safe.
***Update at the bottom.
You will need to have some canning jars; I use the pint size and the 1/2 pint size for jam. If you are using the 1/2 pint (8oz) size you will need 8, if you use the pint size (16oz) you will need 4; or a mix of what ever you choose to equal that above. Wash your jars and the 2 piece lids. Make sure you use new lids - not used ones. I use approximately 3 lbs (or almost 2 quarts) of strawberries, and 3-4 ripe bananas. I wash the strawberries well and remove the stem. Don’t be wasteful and take too much strawberry off with the stem, but you will want to remove any green or unripe areas on the berries.  Remove any soft spots or funny looking places.

Put your jars in a tall pot that has either a rack in the bottom or a wash cloth. The pot should be tall enough for the jars to fit inside allowing for water to cover them with about an inch to the top edge. My mom always put them in upside down, I’m not sure why, I put them in upside down too. Fill the pot with water up to about ½ full. I put the funnel in there too and put the lid on to hold the heat in. Turn on heat, you will want this to come to a slow boil and boil for at least 15 minutes. You may need to add hot water if levels get too low. Put your lids in a sauce pan with other tools you will be using, a ladle and a funnel, and fill with water. You will allow this to almost simmer, do not boil. 



At this point I put my berries in a food processor and give them a fine chop. You can chop/process them into as small of pieces as you like. You can even puree them. You want 3 1/2 cups of strawberries when you are finished. Mash or process the bananas to the consistency you would like, but not too chunky.

Measure 6 1/2 cups of sugar into a separate bowl and set aside. Pour the berries and bananas into a 6 quart (or more, 8 qt is better) Add 3 Tbs of lemon juice and stir well. Stir in one box of fruit pectin. After stirring add 1 tsp of butter. 

Turn heat onto medium high to high and start stirring, making sure you don’t let it burn on the bottom.  Use a heavy pot if you have one, which helps it to not burn. I like to use a wooden spatula that has a flat bottom for stirring this. You will notice that foam is forming on top of the fruit mixture. Bring fruit to a rolling boil stirring continuously. You will see bubbles popping, but when it starts the full rolling boil it will rise up in the pot. Notice the level in the pot above before it starts the full boil.

When you are sure of the full boil add the sugar all at once and stir it in keeping the heat on. When a full boil starts again time it for exactly one minute and turn off the heat. See how the level rises in the pot at the full rolling boil above.
Your jars should have been boiling gently during this cooking time. You want your jars hot because if you allow them to cool before you finish the jam they may break when you pour the jam into them.

Quickly skim off the foam from the top of the fruit mixture using a large spoon.  This is good too, just put it in a separate container and put in fridge; you don’t want it in your jam jars but you don’t need to throw it out.

Take a jar from the pot using a jar lifter or tongs, pour off the water back into the pot, set jar close to your jam pot and put the funnel in it. Be careful! It’s a little tricky with tongs.

Ladle the hot fruit into the jar filling to about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch from the top. Remove the funnel and use a clean cloth to wipe top of rim clean, place lid seal and ring on it. Tighten the ring carefully. You need to tighten it enough to keep water out but not so tight that you cause the rubber seal to be broken. Continue until all jam is gone.  If you don’t have enough jam to completely fill your last jar then put that jar in the fridge when it cools and don’t give it the water bath.

Place all full jars back into water pot and add hot water left in your sauce pot to it if needed. You want the jars to be covered by about an inch, add hot tap water if necessary. Put a lid on them and bring to a slow boil.  Process for the suggested time for your area, mom always processed for 8 minutes here.
When they have boiled for the allotted time remove them from the water bath and put them on a towel on your counter.  You will begin to hear a sucking popping sound as the temperature change pulls the lids down and the seal is made. Once jars are completely cool you can remove the rings if you like and store your jam with out them.  Your jars may need to be wiped down as they may have accumulated minerals or some strawberry residue on the out side. You now have a wonderful delicious home made jam fresh from your kitchen!  Thanks mom!

Strawberry Banana Jam
3 ½ cups of crushed, chopped or pureed strawberries, around 3 lbs or 2 quarts
1 ½ cups of mashed ripe bananas, about 3 medium to large
3 tbs of lemon juice,   1 tsp of butter,  1 box of fruit pectin
6 ½ cups of sugar, measured and set aside in a separate bowl
Mix strawberries, bananas, lemon juice, fruit pectin in a 6-8 qrt pot, add butter.  Bring to a full rolling boil and add sugar all at once.  Bring it to a full rolling boil again and boil for exactly one minute. Skim off foam, ladle into hot sterilized jars and process in a water bath.  Makes about 8  half pint jars.
Update*** I just found out that you can make small amounts of Strawberry Banana Jam courtesy  of Happier Than a Pig In Mud. Stop by her place to see how she made hers. 

I link at these Parties.


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59 comments:

  1. My mother made this exact same kind of jam - without the bananas - and it was wonderful. Wish I'd paid more attention to her process too!

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  2. Oh, this sounds so good to me. I love to make jam. We are having a strawberry party tomorrow at Tumbleweed Contessa with Hammock Tracks and Call Me PMc - Saturday Dishes. I'd love it if you shared this with us. www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Linda

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  3. It looks beautiful and yummy! My Mom and my sister both can everything including jam but I have never tried it. Probably because I just don't have all the right equipment and because it intimidates me! I do make strawberry freezer jam and love it!

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  4. My husband and I made mostly blackberry jam (sometimes some strawberry), since I "helped" which in my case means "watched" I haven't tried making any since he died. Maybe this is the summer. By the way, I suspect your mom put the jars in upside down so she didn't have to worry about pouring boiling water out of them. Good idea, thanks.

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  5. I have so pinned this, it looks awesome!! Found you via Ladybird Lane weekend show off party. If you have a moment I would love to have you link up at my new Sweet Treats & Swanky stuff party here: http://sweetbenannasam.com/2013/04/05/sweet-treats-swanky-stuff-link-party-7/ Thanks!

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  6. i pinned this. I'm going to make strawberry jam this weekend and i may give this a whirl

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  7. This is so awesome. My kids would love this recipe. My father-in-law just gave me a pressure cooker so I've been wanting to start canning things. I'm visiting from Michelle's Tasty Creations Party. I'm going to pin this. I've already been following your blog via GFC but I started follow via Facebook too so hopefully I will see more of your posts. :-)

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  8. My husband is saying that we are going to find some dewberries or blackberries and make jelly this year, just like we used to when we were young and poor! LOL Maybe I can get him to go for this delicious-sounding jam instead! I'll avoid snakes, chiggers and poison ivy.

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  9. This sounds delicious! You might keep enjoy my Hot Pepper Jelly post coming up at grandmotherdiaries.com on Monday.

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  10. All I need is some toast. Or a warm biscuit! Or heck, a spoon! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Love seeing new faces. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM

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  11. Love this! I'd like to invite you to link up to Saturday Spotlight @ Angels Homestead. The party is open from 12 am Saturday, until 12 midnight Wednesday.

    http://angelshomestead.com/saturday-spotlight-11/

    Hope to see you there :)

    April

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  12. I whipped up a little 2 jar batch of this today, it's so good! Thanks for the inspiration:@)

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  13. I have never canned goods but you make it look like I could actually do it!

    Thanks for sharing your favorite post at Raising Imperfection! We feature our favorites on Friday, make sure to come back and check.
    Leslie

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  14. This looks very interesting...I love them together as smoothies but I have never thought about jam. Cool idea!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  15. This sounds so yummy. I LOVE strawberry and banana together but never thought about trying it with Jam. I'm not a very good in the kitchen with making jams, so I'm excited that this one looks do-able. Thanks for sharing it.

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  16. Wow, it looks so yummy! I make a strawberry banana smoothie so I'll bet I'd love this! It's also so wonderful that you have your mom's recipe! What a blessing.

    Thanks so much for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party! :)

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  17. Hi, new follower from RI hop! I love home-made jams! It also looks so fresh. You're so good at this! :)

    I'd love it if you can follow me back! :)

    xoxo
    ochibernadas.blogspot.com

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  18. Looks too complicated for me, haha.. but I wish I could get some virtually! Stopping by from Monday Funday.
    Beth @ The First Year Blog

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  19. Ummm Yes Please! Thanks for sharing on Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!!!

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  20. Wow! This looks delicious!! Thanks for linking up to Manic Monday! :)

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  21. Thank you for sharing your mother's recipe with us at my link party. It looks delicious! Of course, I always have little ones underfoot, so I'm not sure how I will get any made :)

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  22. I love this idea! I'd also love if you linked this recipe up to this week's Iron Chef Mom: Strawberry Battle!
    http://growingupgabel.com/iron-chef-mom-strawberry-battle/

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  23. YUM! This looks so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. Just pinned this one, too! :)
    Hugs
    Kathy

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  24. I can't wait to try this! I just made triple berry jam last week. It looks like strawberry banana jam is next. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a wonderful day!

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  25. I pinned this! This looks so good it hurts, I'm going to try and make this soon!

    www.domesticblisssquared.com

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  26. My favorite jam is Strawberry jam, probably because strawberry banana jam is not available for sale.....that I know of. It sounds delicious and by the looks of it, you can't really tell that there are bananas in it, which is great for the kids!

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  27. This is making my mouth water, thank you so much for sharing, pinning.

    Please consider sharing this blog post at Tuesdays With a Twist link up.

    http://yourlife7.blogspot.com/2013/04/tuesdays-with-twist-link-up.html

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  28. I love strawberries and bananas together, but would never have thought to make jam with the two! Thanks for the recipe!

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  29. I love the combination of strawberries and bananas---so delicious! I would LOVe to have you share this at my link party!

    http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/04/homemade-by-you-46.html

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  30. That jam sounds great........Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  31. This recipe sounds very interesting. I love strawberry and bananas together. I chose you as today's Dare to Share Feature of the Day.

    http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2013/04/strawberry-and-banana-jam.html

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  32. That looks really good! You must have a great mom and cooking instructor :)
    Nikki

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  33. Good Afternoon Connie, I was fascinated to see your photo for strawberry and banana jam and had to pop over to take a look. I have made normal strawberry jam for years
    but never strawberry and banana. I have bookmarked this recipe for when the strawberries are in season which will be about July time.
    I have enjoyed reading your blog and I have become a new follower. You are most welcome to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me!....the door will always be open.
    Best Wishes from England,
    Daphne

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  34. I always wanted to make my own peanut butter and jam. I didnt know you could put banana in it. Yum!Fellow linky buddy from Made U Look!

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  35. I am so excited to try this! It sounds awesome!

    Kara
    www.simplisticallysassy.com

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  36. I didn't know you can do this with bananas. I wish my kiddo liked them! I can see us loving it as a ice cream topping. Have you ever used it that way? I am pinning this to my canning board! Hope your having a good week! Visiting from DearCreatives.com

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  37. This Jam looks SO good! The bananas would be such a great addition! I had never even thought to do that! Please come by and link up at “Pin it Again” Friday (http://wp.me/p2TL9t-16Q). It goes live today at 3:00 PST.

    Please Come on by to link up your SPECIFIC Pinterest Pin for this project and others can see it and pin it their pin boards. And, while you are here, stay awhile and pins others great ideas on your boards as well! Blessings!

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  38. I've never heard of strawberry banana jam! Thanks for linking up at the Pinterest Power Party!! =) Hope you have a great day!

    Danielle
    SewMuchCrafting.com

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  39. Wow, that jam sure does look good! Thanks for linking up this post to The Weekend re-Treat! on The Best Blog Recipes. I wanted to stop by and "Pin" your post while I was here tonight :)

    Shauna @ The Best Blog Recipes

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  40. My mom used to make jam this way. It was too complicated for me so I make freezer jam. I wonder how the banana would work in Strawberry Freezer jam?

    Hopping over from Friendship Friday! Have a terrific weekend!

    Cathy

    http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/

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  41. I've never heard of putting banana in jam - sounds delicious!

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  42. Yum! I really want to try to make jam this year.

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  43. Sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop! I hope to see you again tomorrow. :)
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/04/creativehomeacre11.html

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  44. I have never heard of strawberry banana jelly. I do have some kiddos that love my strawberry jelly and I know would love your's, too. I've already been looking forward to strawberry season.

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  45. I make strawberry and raspberry jam often, but have never heard of adding banans to strawberry jam. I will have to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  46. I love strawberry banana anything! This is a great idea.

    This recipe was featured in Krafty Cards etc.'s Recipe Round-up. View it at: http://kraftycardsetc.blogspot.com/2013/04/recipe-round-up.html. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Maria
    Krafty Cards etc.

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  47. This looks soooooo good! I have always wanted to try making jam, great tutorial!

    xo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

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  48. I need to try this, Connie! Pinning - Thanks so much for linking up to All My Bloggy Friends!

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  49. Yum! Thanks for sharing!! I will be featuring you this week @ emmylane.net for Thrifty Thursday!

    -Lindsey

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  50. My kids and I love strawberry season because we stock up on our homemade jam. I never thought to include bananas in the jam.

    Thanks for linking up at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!

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  51. Yummo! Thanks for linking up with Eat. Pray. Love :)

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  52. Wow, this looks so yummy! Thanks so much for sharing at Crafty Tuesday. :)

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  53. Looks so delicious!! I made a freezer jam last summer for the first time. I was intimidated before I started, but it's not as difficult as I thought it would be. Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!!

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  54. Thanks for sharing last week on Thrifty Thursday! You are one of my features this week! Hope you'll come back again tomorrow and share more!

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  55. This looks so yummy! I couldn't resist...had to feature it at Think Tank Thursday. Thanks for linking it up! http://www.saving4six.com/2013/04/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-26.html

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  56. I tried this and it was amazing! Super easy for my first jelly and it's got amazing flavor! The banana really helps balance the strawberry and keep it from being too sweet.

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  57. I tried this last night and it's an amazing recipe. It was super easy and you outlined the steps beautifully. It was my first attempt at jam, and my husband and I did it together. It didn't take too long and it tastes AMAZING! Thanks for sharing.

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