Strawberry Freezer Jam

I wish there was one of those smiley face thing like this :) that could actually express how happy I am that I just made freezer jam and how I cannot wait until tomorrow to actually spread it on my toast!

When I was young my Mom and Grandma used to make freezer jam, but not nearly often enough because it seemed like a very special treat to me :) It was one of my favorite things. I remember one time I found a tupperware thing of it way back in the freezer and I hid it in the fridge so my brothers wouldn't find it and I savored it for weeks!! I just loved the stuff!

Last Monday Mr. P texted me about our usual bountiful basket conversation to see what sort of extras we wanted and what we wanted to get. When he told me that they had 8 lbs of strawberries for $8.50 my first thought was FREEZER JAM!!!!!!

I bought everything at Walmart and it was pretty cheap. My mother told me to buy the Certo pectin brand, she had no real reason why, its just what grandma had always used and what she had always used so of course it was what I was going to use. A package of Certo was I think $2.87. I bought the Ball brand freezer jam containers and they were $3 for 4- 16 oz jars. I have no idea how much sugar was, but you do use a lot!!!

The whole process took me about 45 minutes, and that is with me taking pictures and making phone calls and talking on FB and having a 3 year old help. I do have a bit of dishes to do, but all in all it was easy!!!

I doubled the "recipe" (used two packages of pectin) so my "recipe" will follow that. Also this is the recipe in the box of Certo so I'm not trying to say I made this or that I in any way own this. I'm just sharing my experience and want everyone to know how easy and wonderful this is!

What you need:
Strawberries 4 cups crushed
2 packages of Certo pectin
4 Tbs fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)
8 cups of sugar
5- 16 oz. freezer jars

What you do:
First slice your strawberries, and place in a flat bottom dish. Then crush with potato masher. Do this is small batches. Move to a measuring cup, or bowl, but make sure your measurements are exact. You could also do this in a food processor, but make sure not to puree as jam has chunks of fruit and a puree would not ensure a proper set up.

Next juice your lemons, strain. Place 4 TBS in small bowl. Add 2 packages of Certo. Set aside.

In very large bowl, add 8 cups of sugar. Make sure measurements are exact. Add the crushed strawberries to the sugar. Stir well. Let sit for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to let sugar dissolve.

To bowl of strawberries and sugar add the lemon juice and Certo mixture. Stir for 3 mixture until slightly thickened and everything is dissolved.

Fill your jars, but leave at least 1/2 inch gap from top. Let sit for 24 hours on counter. The jam can store in refrigerator for 3 weeks or in freezer for 1 year.