Strawberries
Spring is here.. which means I need to empty out my freezer to make room for this coming years garden. As I tend to save the best for last, my freezer is full of strawberries. Last year I managed to save 5 bags filled with 8 cups of strawberries from the garden & the Lil’uns, and now is the time to use them up. Â I also had a few bananas on the counter needing used up… So why not Strawberry Banana Jam..
While digging in the cupboard to find a box of pectin, two forgotten sticks of vanilla rolled out and down landing on top of the bananas.. Mmm Vanilla Strawberry Banana Jam, my tastebuds thought…
It should come with a warning… It tends to disappear upon opening.
So here’s the recipe so you can make it too
4 cups Strawberries
2 – 3 mashed ripe bananas
4 cups of sugar
1 – 2 vanilla beans (I had 2 smallish vanilla beans)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 pkg. of low sugar pectin
Combine strawberries and bananas.
Slice bean down the middle, and scrape the bean making sure all the little beautiful specks of vanilla land in the pot. Throw used bean in too (you can pick it out later)
Mix pectin with 1/4 cup of sugar and then mix with strawberries & bananas.
Heat until boiling, then add the rest of the sugar and mix.
Bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute – stirring well.
Remove from heat.. Spoon off foam, and then pour into sterilized jars.
Wipe rims, seal and water bath for 20 minutes.
Do not leave sealed jars on counter.. hide them away immediately.. like I said.. it disappear fast 😉