Jammin'

I love the idea of canning fresh fruit and veggies. I tested out the whole process last year & really enjoyed creating strawberry jam. Its a thoughtful gift for friends and just a blast to make! Recently, I received a TON of cranberries from a friend. I've been searching through recipes in search of a good one for canning these babies. 

Spiced cranberries. That just sounds delicious, right? I found the recipe in Canning for a New Generation, check it out here http://tinyurl.com/aa2fqhr. I changed the recipe a little bit. I just finished canning them & it tasted pretty good off the spoon (after I canned of course). If you've never canned anything, give it a try. Just be smart about it and read more about it here http://tinyurl.com/cwyvc9x

What you need:
3 c. cranberries, washed well
1.5 c. sugar
1/2 c. juice from an orange
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick (if you want)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
3 half pint mason jars

Follow canning rules and begin boiling cans. While cans are boiling, combine cranberries, sugar, juice and spices and bring to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, let it simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes.

 Remove jars from boiling water and pour in spiced cranberries. Add lid (that was also sitting in HOT water).** Place cans w/ lids on back into water & boil for 5 min. Remove and let them stand for 24 hours without moving and touching. Check after an hour to make sure the lid sealed, if it did not refrigerate immediately. You should hear the lids pop though.

I read that this is delicious on cheese-- all types. I can't wait to have some cheese and crackers topped with spiced cranberries. 

*Place the lids in a smaller pot. When you empty out the water from the cans before filling with cranberries, pour the boiling water into the pot with the lids.