Jammin' for Sustainable Living

   We're currently taking a class at Maharishi University of Management called Permaculture Design in which we were to come up with an idea that we could create and instruct on how to do so. 

We decided to make jam!

We made both Cran-Apple Jam and Pepper Jelly. They both turned out amazing and here's how yours can too.

:)

Cran-Apple: total of 1 quart

- Apples

- Cranberries 

Pepper Jelly: total of 1 quart

- Jalapenos 

- Habaneros 

- Green Bell Pepper

Both:

- Pectin (one packet for each type of jam)

- Sugar (four cups for each type of jam)

- Lemon Juice ( a dash for added acidity)

- Mason Jars

Optional:

- Blender

- Jar Tongs

- Funnel

- Magnetic Stick (for getting lids out of hot water)



 Preferably you'd want to either grow your own ingredients or buy them from a local farmers market. We purchased ours organically from a local health food store.The blender is used to make it easier to crush up the fruit and peppers but it can be omitted. The jar tongs and magnetic stick make it much easier to remove jars and lids from boiling or hot water, and the funnel made it easier to pour the jam into the jars. You can buy a kit of the jar tongs, funnel, and magnetic stick at a very reasonable price at common retail stores along with your mason jars.

     First you just want to wash and chop your ingredients to prepare them for the blender, or if you're omitting the blender you want to make sure you chop them and crush them into the size you want them to the be in the final jam product. 

 Now you want to take your freshly chopped ingredients and place them in the blender with a packet of liquid pectin. Start at a low speed and slowly add intensity so as not to over liquify the fruit and peppers. Get it to the consistency that you want in the final product. Be sure not to add any extra water or liquid because it will effect the jelling process.

 At this point it is a good idea to go ahead and put your mason jars in the dishwasher so they'll be warm by the time your ready to pour in the jam. If you don't have a dishwasher you can heat them in boiling water but it is very important that they be hot when you add the hot jam so the jar does not crack from the temperature difference.

  Now you want to transfer your ingredient/pectin mixture to a good sized pot and bring it to a full boil for about a minute making sure to stir often.

 Once it's reached a full boil add in your sugar and slowly bring it back to a boil stirring often to prevent burning. Leave at full boil for about another minute.

   Now is a good time to prepare your mason jar lids. Simply put them in a shallow pot and heat up but be sure not to bring it to a boil. Leave them in hot water until you're ready to pour in your jam.

   Once the mixture has boiled for a minute turn heat very low and let stand for 5-10 minutes. Continue to stir....and maybe taste test.  :)

   Remove a jar from the dishwasher and a lid from the hot water and place funnel at mouth of jar. Then grab a buddy to hold the pot while you pour and scrape jam into the jar. Then add the lid and seal the jar.

   Place jar in at least two inches of water and bring to a boil for 5-10 minutes. This help the jam to have a smooth consistency as it jells.

  Remove jam from water and let cool overnight or place in fridge if you're in a hurry.

Enjoy! :D