Grandma's strawberry jam

Grandma's Strawberry Jam Recipe

Strawberry jam is a quick and tasty dessert that reminds us of childhood, of the days spent with grandma. This simple recipe will transform fresh strawberries into a delicious jam with an intense flavor and perfect texture. Get ready to fill your pantry with jars full of sweetness!

Total preparation time: 12 hours (including resting time)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 6 jars of 400g

Ingredients:
- 3 kg fresh strawberries
- 1 kg sugar
- 1/2 lemon (thin slices)

Step 1: Preparing the strawberries
Start by cleaning the strawberries, removing the green stems. Make sure the fruits are ripe and fragrant, as they will influence the final taste of the jam. Rinse them in several cold waters to remove impurities.

Step 2: Layering the fruits
Divide the strawberries into two equal parts. In a large jam pot (preferably stainless steel or enamel), add the first half of the strawberries to the bottom of the pot. Cover them with half of the sugar (500 g). This step will help draw out the juice from the strawberries.

Step 3: Let it rest
Place the remaining strawberries on top and cover them with the remaining sugar. Cover the pot with a clean cloth and let it sit for 10 hours. This waiting time is crucial as it allows the fruits to release their juice, helping to achieve a perfect consistency.

Step 4: Cooking the jam
After 10 hours, place the pot on low heat to avoid burning. Once the fruits start to boil, increase the heat and add the thin lemon slices. Boil the jam for 20 minutes, stirring constantly to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5: Pasteurizing the jam
To pasteurize the jam, fill the cold jars with the hot jam, leaving a little space at the top. Seal the jars with double cellophane and place them on a dark tray. Put the tray in a preheated oven on low heat for 15 minutes, then increase the heat to boil the jam for 20 minutes, with the oven door slightly open. This step is essential to prevent the jam from molding.

Step 6: Cooling and storing
Once the jam has boiled, let the jars cool in the oven overnight. The next day, take out the jars, label them, and place them in the pantry. Strawberry jam is perfect for enjoying on toasted bread with butter or in various pastries.

Practical tips:
1. Make sure all utensils used are very clean to avoid contamination.
2. You can add a teaspoon of vanilla or cinnamon to give the jam an even richer flavor.
3. If you want a smoother texture, you can puree the jam with an immersion blender after cooking, before putting it in jars.

This grandma's strawberry jam recipe is not just a way to preserve fruits, but also a way to keep the memories of beautiful times alive. Enjoy your strawberry jam and savor every spoonful!