Red Raspberry Jam

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1Wash 8 half-pint jars in hot soapy water or the dishwasher and keep them hot until filling; pre-boiling the empty jars is not necessary since processing takes 10 minutes or more.
2. 2Simmer the new lids in hot (not boiling) water according to the manufacturer's instructions and keep them warm.
3. 3Wash the screw bands in warm soapy water and set aside.
4. 4Rinse 3 pounds of ripe raspberries gently and crush them with a potato masher until you have 5 cups of crushed berries (if you prefer a seedless jam, press half the crushed berries through a fine sieve first).
5. 5Combine the 5 cups of crushed raspberries with 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice and the full box of powdered pectin in a large saucepot.
6. 6Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly, then add all 7 cups of sugar at once, stirring well.
7. 7Return the mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, and boil hard for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
8. 8Remove from the heat and skim off any foam with a metal spoon.
9. 9Ladle the hot jam into the hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.
10. 10Remove trapped air bubbles with a non-metallic spatula, wipe the rims clean, center a warm lid on each jar, and apply a band until fingertip tight.
11. 11Process in a boiling-water canner with 1 to 2 inches of water over the jar tops: 10 minutes for half-pints and 10 minutes for pints, starting the timer once the water returns to a full rolling boil.
12. 12Adjust for altitude by adding 5 minutes at 1,001-3,000 feet, 10 minutes at 3,001-6,000 feet, 15 minutes at 6,001-8,000 feet, and 20 minutes above 8,000 feet.
13. 13Turn off the heat, wait 5 minutes, then remove jars to a towel-lined counter and let sit undisturbed 12 to 24 hours away from drafts.
14. 14Check the seals once cool (concave, non-flexing lids), remove the bands, wipe the jars, and label with contents and date.
15. 15Store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year for best quality; refrigerate after opening and use within about 3 weeks.
16. 16Do not alter the fruit, sugar, lemon juice, or pectin proportions, since this ratio determines both safety and set.