Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Cherry Jam

While taking a walk one morning I noticed a bunch of cherry pits on the pavement, I glanced to my right and saw a tree loaded with the prettiest cherries! They were yellow with a bit of a red blush and while a little smaller than bing cherries, they were plump, juicy and at the peak of ripeness. True confession time: I am that person... Yep, I am the person that walks up to a stranger's door and asks if they have any plans for the gorgeous fruit Mother Nature has provided. In exchange for them letting a crazy woman swing from the branches of their tree (and no doubt providing them an hours worth of entertainment-if the video goes viral please let me know:@) I did gift them a jar of Cherry Jam.

How important is it to act quickly when you see something like fruit at it's peak? 
Two days later there wasn't one cherry left on that tree! 

Now, you know I love my kitchen toys but what cherry pitter did I use? The one God gave me, I simply squeezed the pit out of the cherries into my other hand. It worked great, and yes, my fingers did get stained but it washed off... eventually:@)

Cherry Jam-from Sure Jell
This makes about 8 half pints.
4 C chopped cherries, stemmed, pitted and washed-I gave mine a quick whirl in the food processor
1/4 C fresh lemon juice
1 box pectin
5 C sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract, optional-I didn't use this
  1. Mix cherries, lemon juice and pectin in a large pot, bring to a hard boil, stirring constantly.
  2. Add sugar, bring to a hard boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute.
  3. Skim foam off top of jam if needed. Fill jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
  4. Count the pings and love life!
The gifts of the season are always the sweetest...
 Have a happy day:@)

18 comments:

  1. Aren't you lucky to find fresh cherries on a neighbor's tree. The cherries have been fabulous this year and I'm sure your cherry jam turned out great.
    Sam

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  2. Wow! Your cherry jam looks beautiful Lynn! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  3. oh, those are MARVELOUS looking! and they were just going to let them go to the birds? wow.

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  4. I wish I had a cherry tree and you lived in my neighborhood. It would be nice to be entertained and get a jar of jam as well.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. I wouldn't hesitate to knock on someone's door for those cherries, either, Gail! The finished product is a beautiful as the raw product.
    Have a great week.

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  6. Those are lovely cherries, Lynn. I'm sure both you and the neighbor felt like winners in your exchange. ;)

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  7. We had 2 cherry trees in our yard (they later died) and they were both full of cherries each summer. The cherry jelly was so good...we sure do miss those trees.

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  8. I love this story, Lynn. You are a doer instead of a dreamer. :) You were smart to act as soon as you saw those cherries, and I'm sure the owners of the tree were delighted to get a jar of your fresh, homemade cherry jam. I sure wish you lived in my neighborhood. :-D

    Your pictures are beautiful; I wish I could reach into the computer screen and eat a few of those cherries. Have a wonderful week, Lynn, and a Happy Fourth of July!!

    Big Hugs!

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  9. Good for you! I bet the owner was delighted that you wanted them. I don't like the cherries in the store, but I know I would like these lighter colored ones. Where did the rest disappear to? Birds?

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  10. Hi Lynn, wow! I have never seen a cherry tree with actual cherries on it, I bet it is gorgeous. Love this jam, so nice of you to bring them a jar.

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  11. Ha! I just saw plums on the ground the other day and looked up and saw beautiful little plums. Now you've inspired me to knock on someone's door! Your cherry jam looks FANTASTIC! It's probably my favorite of all jams.

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  12. Makes my mouth water, Lynn!!! I grew up with lots of cherry trees on our property, so this brings back fond memories. YUM!!!

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  13. Lynn, You make me laugh! Those are some beautiful cherries and well worth swinging from the trees for :) What a gorgeous color the jam is too!

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  14. I wish you were my neighbor and I had a cherry tree and you would come over and ask if you could pick some cherries and then you would make me some cherry jam!!
    Jenna

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  15. In my part of the world(s) I've never seen a cherry tree. You make me remember how much I like cherry jam. Just maybe I'll have to try making some with store bought cherries.

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  16. I would've loved to have seen you picking all those cherries, Lynn! I'm proud of you for walking up and asking...I would've done the same thing and your jam looks luscious. I love the tip on using your hands rather than a gadget!!

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  17. Don't know if you'll see this because this is an older post, but I'm trying to play catch up this morning. I love this story and the cherry jam looks delicious. Actually the whole cherry tree looks delicious. That happens to be my favorite fruit in the world. I can snarf down cherries until I get a belly ache.

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  18. My biggest problem with cherries is that my daughter and I eat them fresh before I can get the canning equipment out! Oh those who live in cherry picking areas a bounty of deliciousness. the cherries look luscious and your jam looks yummy too.

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