Expert home canning folk, I want to make this recipe https://larderlove.com/cranberry-gin-jam/ to use boozy cranberries from making their cranberry gin last year for gifts. Asked about hot water canning and they said it isn't done in UK/Europe and the preserves keep without it. Your thoughts and recommendations? (And why don't they use this process? Oven canning instead?) I'm inclined to treat it like jam, process for 10 minutes. #cooking #food #recipes #canning #HomeCanning #preserves #PreservingFood
@BarbChamberlain It IS jam. It's sweetened flavored cooked thickened fruit; that's jam. It's even CALLED jam. I can't think of a reason in the world not to treat it like what it is. With all that booze, it would probably keep ok without the hot-water treatment, but I don't see any reason to avoid it. There's a reason with some things; for example, I try to do a fair bit of sauerkraut without heat processing so as to keep it crisp and not kill off all those nice probiotic organisms. But this stuff is boiled extensively anyway; another 15 minutes in a hot-water bath isn't going to change anything. I say go for it.
Interetingly, an American friend of mine who now lies in Wales is extremely resistant to the boiling-water-and-2-part-lid canning method. Apparently they really do consider it an example of typical American wasteful overreach, or she does anyway. It may be related to the unavailability or expense of canning jars, rings, and lids. I've somehow managed to press on despite her disapproval. ;)
@jonberger @BarbChamberlain I recently read that upside down canning is the method of choice in the UK, although I can't attest to the veracity of the claim. I read it in a FB group, and there was much scorn directed at the so-called primitive non-boiling approach.
IDK. I'd say the booze will keep your jam safe no matter what you do.
@DrTCombs @jonberger Thanks! I'll let you know how it turns out. I went looking for information on what my mom used to do with paraffin wax and found this post from a master food preserver complete with a fun participatory way to demonstrate pathogens and sugar interacting with your jam and a link to a recipe for corn cob jelly. Way to use everything! https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=43505#:~:text=The%20traditional%20method%20of%20preserving,down%20to%20force%20a%20seal. #canning #recipes #food #PreservingFood #jam