Strawberry Rhubarb Balsamic Jam
I once wrote an essay on strawberry picking. It’s scribbled in a red journal. It’s never been published, or even typed out for other eyes to see. I thought I would share a few snippets of it with you today and a recipe I concocted that happened to turn out exceptional. If I do say so myself. This time anyway. Well actually it’s exceptional every time, it’s just a matter of perspective.
“Like life berry picking should be done with those you love….”
“The berries always seem larger, redder, more worthy of picking in the row that is not yours to pick. ” Grass is always greener?
“To my surprise the row was full of uncovered ripe beautiful berries. Just where I least expected them…….”
“My knees were dirty and stained from the berry strewn path……”
Berry picking has many life lessons. What’s the saying life is a like a bowl of cherries or is that life is like a box of chocolates. I think life is like a strawberry patch. You never know who you are going to meet, what you are going to find, the cost can be high or low depending on the sacrifice put into the work accomplished, but when all is said and done you return home to assess the the harvest, to start a new work of cleaning and hulling and smashing and cooking, tasting and waiting hoping that all this work isn’t for naught. That your jam has jelled. And then when you realize it has jelled you rejoice with butter toast and jam all around.
And when it has not jelled, and it’s runny, drippy, red, and the burned sticky smell of sugar and the mess on the stove is too much to bear then there is only one thing to do….
Call those you love, gather them around close.
One will get the bowls, another the spoons, the other the bucket of ice cream, and have yourselves bowls of creamy ice cream with strawberry syrup over top. Maybe drizzle some chocolate sauce on there while you’re at it.
And give thanks for what is, and not what you thought should have been.
with love, Sheila
Strawberry Rhubarb Balsamic Jam
Equipment
- pint sized mason jars
Ingredients
- 6 cups mashed Strawberries
- 3 cups Rhubarb chopped in to small pieces
- 8 cups granulated Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 packets Certo pectin 1 box
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions
- Combine berries, rhubarb and sugar in a large pot, turn heat on medium stir continurously until mixture comes to a low bowl.
- Add in butter, continue to stir and cook at low bowl for 30 minutes.
- Slowly add in both pouches of Certo pectin stirring as you do. Continue to stir for one more minute, possibly two.
- Remove from heat. Stir in balsamic vinegar.
- Spoon hot jam into prepared jars, place lids on jars and wait to hear the pops as the lids seal.
These are my three favorite flavors all whipped up together. I WILL be making this soon. YUM.
We could have a jam party…; )
I loved every bit of this. Foodie life lessons are my favorite kind! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read…and also share on twitter! xoxoxo Sheila
Now, this is the kind of jam I could jam with! Love the rhubarb addition!
Thanks Lauren!! Thanks for stopping by too xoxox Sheila
This is why I love you Sheila! Such a great post… recipe… Gah! I want a jar of that STAT!!
swing on by and grab a jar when you’re in town hot stuff ; )
I’ve never, ever experimented with rhubarb in any way/shape or form. It kind of scares me. I’d like to jump on the bandwagon though and try it in this delicious-looking jam recipe!
I have a strawberry rhubarb crisp on my blog that is one of our favorites! its perfect for a summer dessert! it’s way back in my archives it’s called Heathers Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp if you want to try it ; )
I have a giant bunch of rhubarb in the fridge begging to be made into something. I think jam is in my future!
I see jam in your future too ; ) I hope you enjoy!
Ah, it’s true for me as well ~ softer jam and delicious syrup (wink) once in awhile. I made nectarine plum jam a couple days ago. It turned out firmer than I expected, but still, it’s a delicious tart and sweet taste of summer in a jar.
Oh my goodness nectarine plum that sounds amazing! I really do love jam way too much ; )