Summertime.....
I love summer!
It brings heat, which brings basket fulls of grapes! Concord grapes that is!
I love picking, smashing and creating these little purple gems into grape jam. My hubby, the wonderful man that he is, will not step out of his comfort zone and try all the other amazing jellies and jams I make! He will only eat Welches Concord Grape Jam! Boring, I know!
Until now!!! I have hooked him on my amazing homemade Concord Grape Jam! Nothing like fresh grapes from the vine! Funny thing is, I dislike grape jam! So not a huge fan. Thats why I make all the other exotic flavors!
Here I have about 3 1/2 pounds of Concord Grapes. Gorgeous, don't ya think!
The jam I made is a 2 step process!
Take your 3 1/2 pounds and wash and remove stems. Place in a pot and crush, add 1/2 cup of water after crushing. Cover and then bring quickly to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Let juice drip through a few layers of cheesecloth and a small holed metal strainer.
Cover and let stand in a cool place overnight. Strain again the next day through cheesecloth to remove crystals that may form from the grape juice (*If sediment remains in juice it will result in large
crystals forming in the bottom of jar. These crystals,
primarily tartaric acid, are not harmful but are unappealing.
Tartaric acid is used in the making of cream of tartar.) Just a little tip I found and thought I would share!
Second Step
You should end up with about 4 cups of grape juice. You will need 4 cups for this recipe. Pour juice into the kettle you are going to cook the jam in. Add 3 cups of sugar and stir it in. Boil over high heat until jellying is reached. Add 1 pouch of liquid pectin and stir. Remove from heat, skim off foam quickly. Pour into hot jars. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Makes 4 half pints.
My Grandma gave me this recipe! I actually like the Grape Jam!
Are you growing grapes? Have you made jam or jelly from your bounty?
What kind are you making?
Happy Grape Harvesting!!!
Posts
My mom used to make homemade jam when I was a kid. I've never made it myself. Maybe one year I'll try, if I get a big enough harvest. That grape jam looks amazing, though. I bet it is delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteI keep having trouble with my grapes...it seems like they struggle to exist every year. This year, my garden is a bit neglected, but I noticed a handful of grapes...just enough to eat really, so I envy your jam. Have you ever grown bonsai? I ask because it seems like you would love it during the winter months when your garden is sleeping...I've really found a haven in mine. :o) Enjoy that jam...and please, send a wish over the air to my grapevines to please GROW next year! :o)
ReplyDeleteMelissa, Making this jam was much easier then I thought! It was the grape crushing that took the most time! It was fun pounding the grapes!
ReplyDeleteEmerging Butterfly, I have never grown Bonsai. In the part of Cali I am in, im lucky enough to garden year round. I may just look into Bonsai though. I hope you have better luck with your grapes. I am sending grape wishes your way!
Grape jelly sounds delicious! I doubt the grapes would even make it that far in our house.
ReplyDeleteI live in Colorado and we are still having 80 degree weather.. When should I pick my Concord grapes to make my jam??
ReplyDelete