Jammin'

There is something simple and classic about canning that I really love, maybe it's because I grew up watching both my grandmothers do it. I'm not really sure. Before last year, I never really had a chance to can for myself until a few of my brave friends and I tried canning and we ended up making our very own jam. I was so excited, it was something I had always wanted to try and then things took a turn for the worse. Something bad happened.  Shockingly, but maybe not so shockingly to some, I went completely insane.  I switched into "getting shit done" mode. No time for jokes, no talking, and don't even think about having fun, this is canning time. The saddest part is that I didn't even realize I was being crazy kitchen lady.  I'm honestly not normally like that and I have no idea what came over me, but those ladies will never let me forget it. 

Well, I must not have been THAT bad last year because those suckers signed up for year two of canning jam.  I couldn't have been happier about it either. The four of us worked like an assembly line, everybody had a job. It was pretty amazing actually, in just half a day we made seven batches of jam with five different recipes.  My pal, Sarah, has the most amazing kitchen to work in and that is probably why this jammin' was so successful. Also the fact that Tina and Steph have magic chopping and peeling fingers.  Oh, and I just want to let you know that I wasn't psycho canning woman this year. Smiling was permitted.

I took a ton of canning pictures, which probably makes you wonder if I was actually doing any work. I promise I was. I had so much fun doing this and I am so thankful I have friends who think this is fun and put up with me in the kitchen.  I can't wait to eat and bake with these jams.  Here they are:

Strawberry

Mixed Berry

Peach

Tina and Steph are some serious blanchers. I think they should open a business.

A perfect peel! Amazing.

Sarah finishes it off with a perfect pour. Teamwork, man.

Blueberry Peach

The blueberry peach jam started like this:

and ended like this. This was the most beautiful color of jam I've ever been apart of making. It was amazing.

Raspberry Peach

All finished

My Jammin' Tips

1. Read the instructions before you start. Like five times.

2. Buy three times more sugar than you would ever imagine using.

3. Do this activity with people who have a sense of humor. Seriously.

4. Don't panic over nothing. Yeah, this is where I went wrong.

5. Buy canning gear. They sell funnels, jar grabbers and much more. It honestly makes a huge difference. Those grabbers saved us from burns!

6. Have fun.

*If you plan on doing any canning this summer I wish you the best of luck. If it's your first time, you'll need it.

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