Gooseberry Jam

Prepare the Gooseberries: Remove the blossom and stem ends from the gooseberries. (Prep time: 20 minutes)

Mill and Measure: Force the berries through a food mill to create a smooth mash. Measure out 4 cups of this berry mash into a large, heavy-bottomed pot.

Combine and Boil: Stir in the sugar with the gooseberry mash. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Once boiling, continue to boil hard for precisely 1 minute, still stirring continuously. (Cook time: 15 minutes)

Add Pectin and Skim: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the liquid pectin. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface using a large metal spoon. This ensures a clear and vibrant jam. (Cooling and skimming: 10 minutes)

Sterilize Jars: While the jam cools slightly, sterilize your jars and lids by boiling them in water for at least 10 minutes. Keep the jars hot until ready to fill.

Cool and Ladle: Alternate between skimming off any additional foam and gently stirring the berry mixture as it cools for about 5 minutes. Ladle the hot jam into the hot, sterilized jars, leaving approximately 1/4 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

Process Jars: Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill it halfway with water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Carefully lower the filled jars into the pot using a jar holder, ensuring there is at least 2 inches of space between each jar. If needed, add more boiling water to ensure the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water back to a full boil, cover the pot, and process the jars for 10 minutes. (Processing time: 25 minutes)

Cool and Seal: Carefully remove the jars from the stockpot and place them onto a cloth-covered or wooden surface, spacing them several inches apart. Allow them to cool completely. As they cool, you should hear a popping sound as the lids seal. Once cooled, test the seal by pressing down on the center of each lid with your finger. If the lid doesn't move up or down, it's properly sealed.

Store: Store the sealed jars of Gooseberry Jam in a cool, dark place for up to one year.