Acre13 Wild Berry Jam

A simple mixed-berry jam inspired by the wild edges of Acre13. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberry and blackberries come together in a rich, homemade jam — perfect for toast, biscuits, pancakes, or saving a little summer for the middle of winter.

Ingredients

• 3 cups strawberries, (hulled)
• 2½ cups blueberries
• 2½ cups blackberries
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Making the Jam

Cook the berries

Add the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries and blueberries to an 8-quart saucepan.

Cook over low to medium heat until the berries soften. Lightly mashed, leaving some berries and pieces of fruit for texture.

While the berries are cooking, prepare your boiling-water canner. Heat the jars and lids in simmering water until you’re ready to fill them. Keep the jars and lids hot, but don’t boil them. Set the bands aside.

Cook the jam

Measure 2 cups of the sugar and combine it with the fruit pectin.

Add the lemon juice and the sugar-pectin mixture to the berries. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.

Once it reaches a boil that cannot be stirred down, boil for 1 minute.

Immediately add the remaining 5 cups of sugar. Bring the mixture back to a hard boil and boil for another 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Reduce the heat to low or medium. Skim off any foam if needed.

Fill the jars

Ladle the hot jam into hot, prepared jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace.

Wipe the jar rims clean with a damp paper towel. Center the lids on the jars and screw the bands on until fingertip tight.

Process

Place the filled jars into the boiling-water canner.

Process for 10 minutes, adjusting the processing time for altitude if necessary.

Remove the jars and let them cool completely.

After 24 hours, check the seals. The center of the lid should not flex up and down when pressed.

Label the jars and store them in a cool, dry place.

From the Land to the Pantry

There’s something satisfying about turning a basket of berries into something that will still be sitting on the shelf months later.

Grow it. Gather it. Make it. Save it.

That’s Acre13.