Strawberry Jam

One of my favourite things to do is to get along early to the Farmer's market on a Saturday morning and grab the freshest and best produce for the week.  There is something very special about that time at the market, there's a particular smell and a buzz, even the conversations with the stallholders is a little more relaxed at that time of the morning before the rush. 

I had gone along with a list of ingredients to buy for a dinner party and on my list were strawberries.  When I got to the strawberry farmer he offered me a large box of very ripe strawberries which I bought, and decided then and there to make strawberry jam.  While on a Strawberry theme I also made Strawberry Soup and Strawberry Salad.

Photo by Steve Shanahan

Strawberry Jam

1 large lemon

200ml water

1 kg strawberries, washed, hulled and chopped

zest from 1 small lemon

800g sugar

Thinly slice the large lemon, removing pips and simmer in water for 3-5 minutes. Remove slices, squeezing juice from each back into water and discard them. Add strawberries to water and bring to boil. When boiling rapdily, add sugar and zest and stir continuously till sugar has dissolved. Continue to boil, this took one and half hours, and when mixture thickens, (check this by putting a spoonful onto a saucer and running a finger through it and it should wrinkle) pour into sterilised jars and cap securely, then turn upside down till cool (this helps to keep an airtight seal).