Thursday 26 July 2018

Raspberry Jam


We are now half way through the first week of our summer break and  I'm really appreciating this opportunity to wind down and relax. The weather is still being good to us and already we have enjoyed some trips to the park, a picnic, a woodland walk and a visit to some very beautiful gardens. I'm sure that having a constant (and very enthusiastic) companion by my side for the next six weeks is going be a little exhausting at times but I'm determined to make the most of this precious time together. Not having to rush around each morning has become more than agreeable and I am quite happy to indulge myself knowing life will be hectic enough again once September arrives.

At the end of last week, and just before school finished for the summer, I managed to get out and collect some raspberries.  I wasn't sure whether there would be many around this year with the weather having been so dry, but I didn't need to be worried as there were plenty on offer.  I always know when raspberry season is upon us, as our walks take longer than usual with Lily stopping constantly to  eat this delicious and sweet little fruit. And of course, half the joy is in having picked them herself.

I set aside some time straight after work, and took myself off to a  lovely and quiet spot where I had noticed some raspberries earlier in the week whilst out for a run. Far too hot to wear my long sleeved top, I ended the afternoon a little more scratched and sore than when I started, mainly thanks to my determination to get the best raspberries, but it was still worth it for the boxes of fruit I took home with me.

And the reason for all my efforts? Delicious raspberry jam. Following last year's failed strawberry crop and the need to actually purchase some for my jam making, this year I was determined to use completely fresh, hand picked (by myself) fruit. And I really much prefer raspberry jam anyway.

I managed to gather a little over 2kg of fruit and made my jam in two lots as I don't have a pan large enough to do it all in one batch. Altogether it made over ten jars of jam. 
For each batch you will need...

Just over 1kg of raspberries (I used 1.1kg. If you use 1kg then I suggest you use a little less sugar)
1kg bag of granulated sugar
8g pectin
Juice of one lemon
Knob of butter


Put the washed raspberries in a large pan and heat gently, stirring all the while until the fruit softens, the juices are released, and it turns this amazing glossy red colour.
Add the sugar, pectin and lemon juice, then simmer gently until the sugar is dissolved.



Add a knob of butter and bring to a rolling boil for around five minutes. Do the saucer test and boil slightly longer if necessary. 
(I found five minutes was perfect)


Being careful not to splash yourself, pour into sterilised jars and cover.


Spread it on hot buttery toast and  enjoy.
This is a really simple and delicious recipe with just the right amount of set.
J. X

52 comments:

  1. Yum!
    I can remember those long summers when I was the main source of entertainment, catering and law enforcer! Looking back now (my two are 17 & 20) I realise that those days were precious and although at the time they seemed a bit full on - we all survived and the boys look back (as do I) on them fondly - we must have got it right :) Enjoy Lily while she is a pint sized sinkhole that needs feeding, kept busy and chatters nineteen to the dozen - it changes as they grow up xx

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    1. Yes, these days are to be treasured, although there's no doubt they can be draining at times. Lily does need to be kept busy, which is easy when the days are long and sunny, not so much when it rains. X

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  2. It looks absolutely delicious, definitely worth those scratched arms. It sounds like the holidays have got off to a good start.

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    1. It does taste good Jo, and thankfully my arms have now healed. Definitely worth it though. X

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  3. Oh that looks so good Jules....worth a few scratches I think :)
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I didn't realise at the time Sheila, but there were more than a few! Worth it though. X

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  4. Few things capture the taste of summer quite like raspberries, how lovely that you know where to get a wild supply - keep that information firmly to yourself!

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    1. They are so tasty Jayne and much nicer than the ones from the supermarket. I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty around this year. X

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  5. That looks wonderful! Raspberry jam is my favorite also.

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    1. It's a fabulous colour Arleen, very tasty too. X

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  6. I love raspberry jam but DH prefers strawberry. I buy some hand made form a local garden centre and it’s gorgeous. Enjoy the summer with the gorgeous Lily.

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    1. Raspberry is my favourite by far, but I think any handmade jam is delicious. X

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  7. Nothing better than home made jam. How wonderful to pick wild raspberries. We only have blackberries in this part of the world. Enjoy your slow routine while you can. B x

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    1. It is delicious spread on toast. Just reading the comments, I didn't realise wild raspberries weren't all that common. There have always been plenty around here. X

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  8. Wow how lucky you were Jules, I have never seen raspberries growing out in the wild, I love raspberries more than strawberries, I could just eat a piece of your toast now. xx

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    1. You can call for breakfast any time Marlene. X

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  9. It looks delicious and all the better for picking the fruit yourself. A beautiful taste of Summer.

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    1. Thank you. There were so many raspberries, I'm sure many more have been picked since. X

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  10. Oh Jules, the last photo is mouth watering and really makes me hungry.

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    1. Thank you Nil. It's delicious spread on toast. Luckily I have plenty to keep me going X

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  11. Oh yum! It looks and sounds lovely. I have just discovered a pot of last year’s blackberry jam in the cupboard which has made me think about making this year’s- they’re already out on the bushes here. Well done on continuing with your running through the heat- did you enter that ten mile race in the end? I really hope so- I think you will love it and I know you will be brilliant Xx

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    1. I have seen a few blackberries just beginning to ripen, and there's a few places I know where they are in abundance. I will be collecting some in the next few weeks to make my Christmas vodka, maybe some jam too.
      Opportunities to get out for a run are going to prove difficult during the Summer break. I haven't yet entered the race, but I'm still hoping to do it and I can enter on the day if I like. I will be sure to let you know. X

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  12. Your jam looks delicious I can almost taste it. I didn't know you could find wild raspberries I have never come across them when out and about.
    Have a lovely summer and lots of fun together.

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    1. Thank you. From the comments on this post I'm beginning to realise wild raspberries are not as common as I thought. X

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  13. I have to say that trips to the park, a picnic, a woodland walk and a visit to some very beautiful gardens sounds wonderful … so important to make use of wonderful summer days when you can.

    Your raspberry jam looks yummy!
    Enjoy! I think you will :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. It's the simple pleasures we enjoy the most. X

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  14. your raspberry jam looks delicious :) Its nice not having to rush about :)

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    1. Thank you. It sounds like you and Evie are enjoying the holidays too. X

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  15. Your jam does look delicious. I have never seen raspberries growing wild here just blackberries, how lucky you are. Scratched arms must have been a small price to pay :) Enjoy this beautiful weather with Lily while it lasts.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. My arms looked awful. I didn't realise at the time just how much I had scratched them. X

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  16. Your raspberry jam looks wonderful and I bet it tastes wonderful, too! I am now craving some buttered toast with jam! :)

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    1. Thank you Bless. It does taste delicious, and I love toast and jam for breakfast. X

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  17. Ooh I love raspberry jam but I've never made it. I might have to give it a go now! I love the unhurried mornings in the school holidays, they feel so special. I hope the sunshine holds on as I think I'm coming your way soon. x

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    1. You should try it, it's so easy to make. Although I'm realising from comments that I must be very fortunate to have plenty of fresh raspberries nearby. Oooh! Where are you visiting? I hope it stays nice and sunny for you. X

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    2. We'll be staying in Coniston for a week. I haven't been to the Lake District for 41 years so I'm looking forward to it very much! x

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    3. I hope you all have a wonderful time. X

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  18. This looks delicious. Raspberry Jam is my favourite. One day I hope to grow enough berries (and keep them from little mouths) to make some of my own.
    Cheers,
    Laura

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    1. The jam making is easy enough, it's the keeping them from little mouths that can prove difficult. Thankfully, this time I went raspberry picking on my own. X

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  19. yum, that looks so good. I can't believe you've been making jam in this unbelievably hot weather! You are a trouper! x

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    1. Thank you Sadie, although we haven't had it as hot as you have. I hope you haven't melted away. X

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  20. It looks delicious, noting nicer than homemade jam.
    Nice cornishware you have in your kitchen, I collect that too.

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    1. Thank you Julie. I do love a bit of Cornishware in the kitchen. X

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  21. I know what I'm having for supper tonight. I love homemade jam and think Im going to have to buy some strawberries now so I can make some. And I'll need to bake bread as well for the proper hit. Your post has created a bit of work for me :) xx

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    1. Having toast and jam every morning is not doing my healthy eating attempts any good! I'll set aside a jar for you. :-) X

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  22. Hi there.I am ashamed to say,i have never made jam always tooo busy.I just might have a go as it looks easy,thanks for sharing your delicious jam recipe and pics.

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    1. It's nothing to be ashamed of Lee. I probably wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for the abundance of free fruit and this very simple recipe. Please let me know if you try it. X

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  23. Your kitchen looks so nice and cozy! I love raspberry jam and I have a jar in the fridge right now. I've never made it before, but would like to someday.

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    1. Cosy is one way of describing it, Julia! My kitchen is really small.
      It's such an easy jam to make, I hope you get to try making it yourself sometime. X

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  24. :)

    Reminds me of my Grandma.

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  25. I adore raspberry jam with seeds in! (I never buy seedless). Home made looks fantastic and I bet it tastes equally good. I've only made jam once :(

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    1. Some people don't like the seeds Eloise, but I don't mind them myself. The jam is really delicious and so easy to make. I'm working my way through a second jar already. X

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