I am Jammin'

Today was a work - but fun morning.   I had gathered figs and prepped them for making jam.  A few days ago I made Cinnamon-Vanilla Fig Jam.

Yesterday I made some Grape Flavored Fig Jam. (no picture) Those batches were lower sugar.

Today, I made full sugar jam because I was experimenting with the recipe and I wanted to be sure it worked.  You see, sugar acts as a sweetener but also as a preservative.  You know, like "sugar cured ham."
There were four cups of washed, cut up and mashed figs.  But I had a secret ingredient in my freezer. A while back I saw a recipe for something made with fresh cranberries. They are only available for a short season so she suggested buying extra and freezing them.  (it works great!)   Sadly,  I forgot to bookmark the recipe, so I never tried making that one.  But, I had fresh frozen cranberries. Last night I put them down in the refrigerator to thaw.   Today they joined the figs for a delightful Cranberry Fig Jam.

Isn't that color luscious?  There is no added coloring,  the cranberries made it this lovely color.  I used my immersion blender (stick blender) to semi puree the fruit as it was cooking. Then after cooking with sugar, lemon juice and pectin, they were ready to put in jars.  So, into the jars, into the boiling water bath for 10 minutes and then to the towel on the table.   The great part is that there was a little more than 7 jars  so I have this:

A little less than half a cup that will go in the refrigerator to use this week.YUM!
And here is what I have to show for my morning:

There are seven half pints and a half cup of wonderful cranberry fig deliciousness.

So, if you want to try making your own, I have a plan for you.  Craftsy has a class, Jam & Marmalade
The Blue Chair Way, that will teach you to make Jam and Marmalade.  Once you learn the basics and become familiar with canning these things, you can use any fruit to make something equally delightful.

I am awaiting a UPS delivery today - I have a mystery package coming my way.  All I really know is that it was sent by a fabric company.  I don't know what it is or why it is coming.  Unless I have to keep it secret, I will tell you more soon.

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