This Elderberry Jam Recipe made with both contemporary elderberries, dried or frozen, makes for a tasty and wholesome addition to any pantry.
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Seize the flavour & natural well being of elderberry any time of the 12 months by making & preserving this elderberry jam recipe! Right here you may uncover how straightforward it’s to reap elderberries throughout the top of the rising season, how straightforward it’s to organize the elderberries to be used, how fast it’s to make this elderberry jam recipe, & how easy it’s to protect elderberry jam by steam canning it!
Most who know me, know my love of all issues elderberry associated. From the early indicators of flowering, we put all of the elderflower advantages to work for us. Particularly with our elderflower tincture!
However we don’t cease there. In spite of everything, the elderberry advantages are many, and we don’t let one little fruit go to waste!
Our favourite elderberry use(s)? Elderberry syrup and elderberry tincture. We regularly complement each of those by making a wholesome natural oxymel utilizing the berry as properly. All are full of pretty natural well being we are able to entry all year long.
One additional manner we are able to harness all the advantages of our beloved elderberry? By making this Elderberry Jam Recipe!
WHAT DOES ELDERBERRY JAM TASTE LIKE?
This elderberry jam recipe tastes a bit like blackberries, however with their very own distinctive taste.
SHARING IS CARING
I’ve additionally heard point out that the jam taste is likened to that of black currant jam.
When making elderberry jam, I don’t fear in regards to the seeds. As soon as cooked, they pose no risk and add a little bit of crunch to the jam similar to that of my raspberry jam!
For sure, it’s delectable for all, young and old alike.
P.S. Making this elderberry jam recipe is an effective way for younger one’s to benefit from the natural well being of elderberry in a candy manner
Luckily, making this jam is simple to do and fairly straight ahead, and fast.
That’s after getting the elderberries prepped and able to go
IS THIS AN ELDERBERRY JAM OR JELLY?
What’s the distinction between a jam and a jelly? Consistency.
Jelly is comprised of the juice solely of the fruit. Juice that has been strained and incorporates no items of fruit.
Jam then again, is comprised of each the juice and the fruit which has been mashed and cooked together with the juice.
That being mentioned, I’m referring to my elderberry jelly/jam as jam, since I cannot be straining simply the juice.
We do get pleasure from a bit extra texture to our spreads than what jelly has to supply. Do you have to not be a fan of seeds in your preserves, straining simply the juice would be the route for you.
A BIT ABOUT ELDERBERRIES
Elderberries are the fruit or berry from the Elder plant. This flowering shrub or tree often known as Sambucus nigra is a part of the Adoxaceae household of crops.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ELDERBERRIES
Lengthy utilized in house apothecaries for immune help, elderberries are full of “anti’s”. Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants.
Extremely nutritious (nutritional vitamins C, A, & B6 in addition to different important vitamins) and stuffed with medicinal well being, the extra methods we are able to make the most of the elderberry in each our house treatments and our desk the higher!
By making jam as a substitute of jelly, I’m additionally capable of seize the roughage supplied from the berry itself.
NOTE: Though elderberries which have been cooked are extremely nutritious & stuffed with natural well being advantages, the uncooked berries, leaves, and stems should not, and might be poisonous.
Foraging is simple to do as this plant is instantly identifiable rising close to boggy areas, alongside riverbanks, and on the forest edge.
You may as well develop your individual elderberry patch ought to you might have the house. I’m lucky to have 2 giant stands of elderberry right here on the property.
As capturing this fleeting crop earlier than the wildlife takes benefit might be difficult, rising our personal helps with a well timed harvest.
Relying in your location, you may count on to reap the deeply purple, bordering on black berries come mid to late summer time. Right here in gardening zone 5b, meaning mid-July.
Each the flowers and the berries are edible, however keep away from ingesting stems, leaves, and raw seeds as they comprise alkaloids and cyanidin glycosides which can be dangerous.
HOW TO HARVEST AND PREPARE ELDERBERRIES FOR JAM
If you discover the berry clusters hanging “face” down towards the bottom, and the berries are plump and black in shade, it’s time to reap.
HARVESTING ELDERBERRY FOR JAM
Because the elder shrub or tree can develop upwards of 20 ft tall, you might have to spend money on a pair of telescopic loppers with a view to harvest the berry clusters, relying on the realm by which you reside.
Right here within the N.E. our elderberry grows solely to shrub-like heights.
As with all foraging endeavor, being respectful of landowners, the land, and the wildlife is all the time really useful. Ask permission when applicable, watch out of damaging the plant, and by no means taking greater than ⅓ of the plant when harvesting.
Snipping the ripe clusters is a straightforward technique of chopping the cluster stem to the place it attaches to the department on the V as proven within the video above.
Harvesting the berries is a fast and easy course of. The precise berry preparation, properly, it may be a bit tedious as some would name it. Personally, I name it meditative
PREPARING ELDERBERRIES FOR JAM
Getting ready contemporary elderberries for making your jam requires one factor.
Persistence.
Some discover it useful to freeze the berry clusters previous to stripping the berries from their stems. I’ve discovered no distinction between stripping them frozen or contemporary. Frozen does, nevertheless, scale back the residual purple stains you might purchase from utilizing contemporary!
It simply takes time, a little bit of persistence, and a whole lot of love
To strip the berries, take a fork and run the fork from the middle of the cluster to the tip eradicating the berries. Ensure to take action over a big container to catch the berries.
Alternatively, you may merely use your fingers to softly rub the berries from their tiny stems.
As soon as the berries have been eliminated you’ll most probably have an excellent quantity of tiny stems remaining from the place the berry attaches itself to the cluster.
Take away as many of those tiny stems as doable from the berries.
Likewise, you’ll want to take away any unripe or inexperienced berries from the remainder.
CAN YOU MAKE ELDERBERRY JAM FROM DRIED OR FROZEN ELDERBERRIES?
Do you have to not be lucky to have entry or the time to forage & harvest your individual berries, elderberry jam might be comprised of elderberries which have been frozen or dried!
That is what I’ve finished this 12 months as time simply ran out throughout the elderberry harvest months. I merely froze the berries till I had the time, properly, time and the power to make the elderberry jam!
Sourcing top quality dried elderberry on-line is made straightforward when going by way of Amazon or my favourite supply Mountain Rose Herbs.
Consider when utilizing dried elderberries, they’ll must be reconstituted. To take action, merely soak them in a single day in water.
HOW TO USE ELDERBERRY JAM
Elderberry jam goes far past a topping to your morning toast. Though that’s yummy too!
Our favourite is on high of our buttered Home made Biscuits, however an in depth second is drizzled excessive of our Outdated Normal Vanilla Bean Ice Cream!
Different makes use of to contemplate …
- Blended with a thick, selfmade yogurt
- On scones
- In PB&J sandwich
- Utilized in Thumbprint Cookies
- As a candy addition to any charcuterie board
- Over baked brie
- In marinades
- Over French Toast
- In crepes
- As filling in desserts and different baked items
- Alongside together with your morning oatmeal
- As a selfmade pop-tart filling
I’ve additionally heard of fogeys giving their younger ones a spoonful of sweetness a day for continued immune help all year long. Particularly useful for these littles who could not get pleasure from taking the elderberry syrup!
Be artistic! Use this jam as you’d every other!
REASONS TO LOVE THIS ELDERBERRY JAM RECIPE!
If the makes use of for this elderberry jam weren’t sufficient causes to like it, listed below are a number of extra for ‘ya!
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – The bottom recipe requires simply 3 substances; elderberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Non-compulsory substances along with the above listed; pectin or apple juice
- EASE – This jam recipe is fast and straightforward to whip up anytime
- TASTE – When you’ve found elderberry jam, it should quickly be a favourite
- HEALTHY – Most everybody loves a candy jam, however add to that one which boasts many well being advantages as properly? Win, Win
ELDERBERRY JAM RECIPE
Making this elderberry jam recipe is simple with easy substances.
I choose to make use of the French technique of constructing jam because it’s, properly, simply simpler! To do that is solely a matter of inserting the ripe berries into my jamming pot or maslin pan, my favourite might be discovered HERE, and macerating the fruit within the sugar in a single day.
Cowl the pot, and are available morning one can find the sugar will fully be dissolved and the berries may have launched a lot of its juice.
It’s now able to prepare dinner, and rapidly I would add as you don’t need to gradual prepare dinner to dissolve the sugar, by including the lemon juice (or following the directions on the pectin field do you have to be going that route) and convey the complete combine to the boil.
For my elderberry jam recipe, I’ve used 2 lbs of complete elderberries (weighed as I will probably be processing utilizing a steam canner) together with weighed sugar within the quantity of two.3625 lbs of sugar. I’ve mixed each weighed substances in my maslin pan and allowed them to macerate in a single day. This encourages the juices of the berries to launch, making for a faster prepare dinner time within the morning!
When able to prepare dinner, convey the sugar and the berries to a boil slowly to the gelling or set level of 220 F (105 C). Extra on that beneath.
As soon as the jam is prepared, fill your clear jars (sizzling if canning), cowl and retailer in your fridge to be used as soon as fully cooled.
JAM & JELLY SETTING POINT TEST OPTIONS
When making jams and jellies with out using added pectin, the setting level check is crucial.
The jam setting or gelling level is 220°F or 105C. Utilizing a sweet thermometer is by far the best technique to check for gelling.
Along with the temperature check, you may freeze a small plate and spoon a bit onto the chilly plate. If you run your finger by way of it when cooled, it ought to just about stay passive & not wrinkle. If the jam doesn’t fill the hole you made together with your finger, it’s set completely.
Alternatively, you are able to do the identical utilizing a spoon, utilizing the sheeting technique. To make use of this technique, dip a cool metallic spoon into the boiling jam/jelly and raise out in order that the liquid runs off the sting of the spoon. When there are now not any drops operating off the spoon, however as a substitute type a “sheet”, it’s set.
When utilizing further pectin, though I nonetheless carry out a sheeting check, it’s not so important that this step is accomplished. As an alternative, go by the producer’s directions.
IS THIS ELDERBERRY JAM RECIPE SAFE TO CAN?
As elderberries are naturally low in acid, canning elderberries alone or in syrup will not be really useful. Nonetheless, the exception to that rule is elderberry jam or elderberry jelly IS protected to can so long as the substances are weighed and some precautions are met.
- WEIGH INSTEAD OF MEASURE – It’s crucial that each the elderberries & the sugar are weighed & not measured. For jam (the jelly ratios are a bit completely different) that interprets to a ratio of 47:55 = 0.85, berry pulp to sugar. As an example, 16 oz of fruit pulp (1 pound) the recipe should have 18.9 oz (1.18125 kilos) of sugar. Once more, these substances must be weighed
- NO ALTERNATIVE SWEETENERS – Honey, low sugar, or any various sweetener can’t be used to securely can this jam recipe
CANNING ELDERBERRY JAM
For many jam and jelly recipes, utilizing the water bathtub canning or steam canning are each protected strategies for preserving these things long-term.
I choose to water bathtub can when I’m processing bigger batches. However for small batch canning, the steam technique is my go to choice for preserving.
Why? It makes use of a LOT much less water AND a LOT much less range power to course of.
GRAB YOUR CANNING MANAGEMENT PLANNER TODAY!
Comply with my straightforward directions to water bathtub can do you have to not have a steam canner. You’ll want to go away ¼ inch headspace and course of the jars for five minutes when making jelly and 10 minutes for jam.
STEAM CANNING ELDERBERRY JAM
Steam canning, aka ASC or atmospheric steam canner, is a fast and straightforward technique of processing meals for long-term use.
Till only in the near past, this technique of canning or preserving was not acknowledged as a protected technique to make the most of. The University of Wisconsin has now printed analysis indicating this technique of house meals preservation is now protected below sure circumstances.
That is nice information for a extra sustainable technique of meals preservation! Not solely does it use a lot much less water and fewer power to course of, however it additionally shortens the time wanted to not solely convey the water to temperature, but in addition shortens the time to securely take away the canner from the warmth as soon as processing is full.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING TO STEAM CAN
- Meals should have a pH of 4.6 or decrease
- Use solely analysis examined and evidenced based mostly recipes
- Use solely pre-heated jars when both packing uncooked or sizzling
- Be vigilant in observing and adjusting the warmth accordingly. Boiling too vigorously will deplete the water fully inside 20 minutes
- Use solely ¼ pint, ½ pint, pint or quart measurement jars
- Modify altitude processing instances as you’d when utilizing a water bathtub canner
- Use the steam canner just for these meals merchandise which require below 45 minute processing time
- Comply with the water bathtub canning processing instances when steam canning (something below the 45 min. rule)
HOW TO STEAM CAN ELDERBERRY JAM
In the case of processing this elderberry jam recipe utilizing a steam canner, I’ve made a easy video beneath displaying the method to simplify.
Deliver 2-3 inches of water to a boil within the steam canner. Pre-temping the water in preparation for putting the recent packed jars instantly onto the steam canner rack.
Steam canning elderberry jam is known as a easy matter of constructing the jam, sizzling pack the jam into sterilized sizzling jars leaving ¼ inch headspace. Place the lid and rings on jars with clear & dry rims, finger tightening solely.
PROCESSING ELDERBERRY JAM IN STEAM CANNER
STEP 1
Place the stuffed, sizzling packed jars instantly onto the steam canner rack which has been delivered to the boil & stored at temperature.
STEP 2
Cowl the steam canner and safe the lid (following the producer suggestions out of your canner).
STEP 3
Flip the temperature to excessive. As soon as a gradual stream of steam has developed, normally between 6 to eight inches in size, start the processing time.
STEP 4
Course of the elderberry jam for 10 minutes, 5 minutes for jelly. Flip the warmth off as soon as the processing time is full.
STEP 5
Fastidiously slide the canner from the warmth & enable it to relaxation with cowl nonetheless on for five minutes.
STEP6
Fastidiously take away the canner lid, ensuring to intention it AWAY from you as a whole lot of sizzling steam will stay.
STEP 7
Take away the processed jars, leaving them upright*, and place them on a towel to fully cool and set.
*NOTE: I’ve heard of many turning the jars the other way up (inverting) to cut back the chance of spoiler micro-organisms. I err on the facet of warning and observe solely protected canning procedures which have been examined. Inversion canning in my view will not be a protected technique as it might result in seal high quality points.
Along with the above notice, stacking processed jars, pushing the lid down to check the seal, and inverting them are all no’ no’s right here on the hill As with every thing, opinions will differ. I like to recommend due diligence and analysis to see what is acceptable for you and your loved ones.
STEP 8
As soon as fully cooled, check for seal by eradicating the screw cap and seize the lid solely & attempt to raise the jar barely. Any give in that course of, place the jar into the fridge to be used first.
FINAL STEP
Wash the sealed jars with heat soapy water and permit to dry fully.
As soon as dried, label & date your jars and retailer for as much as 2 years in a cool, darkish pantry.
The above recipe made a complete of 9 ½-pint jars of elderberry jam.
Save The Recipe!
Directions
Elderberry Jam Recipe
An Elderberry Jam Recipe utilizing easy substances. Have obtainable all of the style & well being advantages of foraged elderberries all 12 months lengthy with this candy elderberry jam recipe!
Key phrase elderberry, foraged
Prep Time 1 day day 20 minutes minutes
Prepare dinner Time 20 minutes minutes
Substances
- 2 Lbs Elderberries
- *2 Lbs Sugar *weighed to 2.3625# when steam canning
- 1 Pkg Pectin (elective)
- 1/2 tsp Butter (elective)
- 1/2 Complete Lemon juiced
Directions
Put together the elderberries, eradicating inexperienced berries, stems and leaves
Add the ready elderberries and sugar to the jamming pot. Enable to sit down in a single day
Comply with the producer’s directions from right here when utilizing pectin
Place the pot onto the range and switch the warmth to medium. Add the lemon juice and butter (decreasing foaming) to the elderberry and sugar combination. Slowly convey the combination to a boil, stir usually
Proceed to boil till the setting level has been reached. 220 F (105 C). Skim foam ought to any develop
Take a look at for gelling by performing setting check. Place a little bit of jam onto a relaxing saucer and place into the fridge for a minute. Take away the saucer and run a finger by way of the middle of the jam spot. No jam ought to run again into the house created
Boil for an additional 2 minutes ought to the jam not go the setting check and retry
Comply with correct canning directions and course of jam for 10 minutes or jelly for five minutes. Retailer processed, shelf steady jars in a cool and darkish pantry for as much as 2 years
When not processing or canning, merely pot into jam jars which were sterilized, place lids and permit to fully cool. Place into the fridge and revel in!
There you might have it! Elderberry jam might be safely canned when following the above information. An effective way to increase the elderberry harvest in a candy manner
Will you be making this elderberry jam recipe?
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