June’s arrival is synonymous with the sweet flavor of strawberries, a seasonal delight that captivates the palate. Whether enjoyed fresh off the vine, integrated into sumptuous recipes, or handpicked at a local farm, strawberries are a highlight of the summer season.

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They are an excellent vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium source. These berries are also rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Consuming strawberries can aid heart health, regulate blood sugar, and support healthy skin.

Here are some popular ways to enjoy them:

• Fresh & Raw: Satisfy your sweet tooth & enjoy it as a healthy snack.

• Desserts: Incorporate strawberries into cakes, pies, tarts, and ice creams.

• Beverages: Blend strawberries into smoothies, lemonades, and mocktails.

• Salads: Add a sweet twist to salads by mixing in fresh strawberries.

• Preserves: Make strawberry jam & enjoy year-round.

For a truly immersive experience, visit a local pick-your-own (PYO) farm. Handpicking strawberries directly from the field ensures the freshest & sweetest berries and connects you with your food’s agricultural roots. This delightful activity supports local farmers and adds a memorable touch to your culinary adventures.

Sober Curator Tip: Making homemade freezer jam with fresh-picked strawberries from a local PYO farm is my favorite thing to do in June. Please continue reading for my tried and tested strawberry freezer jam recipe & tips!

Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam

If you’re new to jam-making, this recipe is a fantastic starting point. It’s incredibly simple and requires no canning experience. In addition to the recipe, I’ve included some tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years to help you make the perfect jam.

These are the two potential problems with freezer jam.

1. Grainy consistency. Because it’s not cooked like a traditional jam, it can be challenging to dissolve the sugar. If the sugar is not wholly dissolved, the finished jam can have a “grainy” or “sandy” consistency.

2. The jam doesn’t set or thicken properly.

How to Eliminate Grainy Freezer Jam

Since getting sober in 2019, I’ve made jam every June with handpicked strawberries from a local farm. Over time, I’ve discovered some secrets to avoid “grainy” jams. A brief zap in the microwave can dissolve most of the sugar without cooking the mixture, preserving its flavor and color.

-Be sure to stir the jam well (VERY WELL). Don’t cheat on the stirring time before and after the added pectin. I like setting a timer to ensure I’m stirring for the full instructed time.

-Don’t follow the instructions on the pectin packet. According to the packet instructions, the jam is supposed to be ready for ladling into jars in 20 minutes. It takes quite a bit longer than this for the sugar to dissolve into the berry mixture.

How to Thicken Freezer Jam

When the sugar is well dissolved, the jam will thicken when combined with the pectin.

-Don’t cheat on the measurements. Jam making is an exact science, and proportions of fruit to sugar are essential. Measure your ingredients carefully, and don’t add extra berries just because you have them.

-Check the date on the pectin box. Pectin can get old and lose its oomph. If your pectin is expired, do not use it.

-It’s important to squeeze all the pectin from the packet. I highly recommend using Certo brand liquid pectin.

Recipe

• 4 cups granulated white sugar

• 1 quart of fresh strawberries or (approximately 2 cups of crushed berries that the recipe calls for)

• 1 pouch of Certo brand liquid pectin

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

This recipe yields 5 cups of jam (80, 1-tablespoon servings). The number of jars will depend on the size of your jars.

Jam Preparation

-To ensure success, read my Curated Crafts tips before starting this recipe.

-Wash and rinse glass jars and lids in the dishwasher or with hot, soapy water. Dry thoroughly.

-Stem and crush strawberries. I use a potato masher, but you can also pulse the berries in a blender or food processor. Make sure to leave the mixture a little chunky.

Freezer Jam Instructions

• Measure exactly 2 cups of the prepared fruit into a large microwave-safe bowl. Use a dry measuring cup to measure the crushed strawberries and level it off at the top with a flat-edge knife. Don’t be tempted to use extra berries!

• Add 4 cups of sugar and stir well for 1 minute. Measure the sugar precisely, using a dry measuring up and leveling it off. You can also weigh the sugar at 800 grams.

• *Don’t be tempted to use less sugar. It helps the jam set properly. If you prefer less sugar, use a low-sugar or no-sugar pectin and follow the directions on the package.

• Place the bowl in the microwave on high power for 3 minutes. The mixture should become warm enough for the sugar to dissolve. Remove from microwave and stir well for another minute.

• Allow the strawberry mixture to sit for 2 hours at room temperature, stirring it well about every 30 minutes. Taste to make sure the sugar is dissolved. If it’s still grainy, stir for another minute or two. When the sugar is well-dissolved, the mixture will deepen in color and lose its “cloudiness.”

• Combine the liquid pectin and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add to the strawberry mixture and stir for 3 minutes. Set a timer, and do not skimp on the stirring time.

• Fill glass jars, leaving ½ inches of room to the top. The jam will expand in the freezer, so do not fill the jar to the top.

• Wipe off the top edges of containers and cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year.

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Ball Mason 8oz Quilted Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12

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Strawberry Gift Bags

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CURATED CRAFTS: 

You got sober; what will you do to keep your hands busy? 

And no, you don’t have to take up knitting. Although, if you enjoy it, get your knit on, homie!

Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. You may be the next Sober Picasso, or you may be the next big Pinterest Fail. Either way, you’re creatively creating something with your hands and expanding your mind. That’s a great way to relieve stress and express your feelings.

Are you addicted to pinning? Make sure to follow along with us on Pinterest. Crafting is not your jam, but you may love to read. Head to our #QUITLIT section and see what we’ve been reading.

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY – MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL: Sober living in the greater Minneapolis / St. Paul area doesn’t have to be boring; living free of substances opens the door to a world of new explorations and experiences. With our Sober in Minneapolis / St. Paul section, you have access to some of the hottest spots in the twin cities!

Do you have an event, product, restaurant, experience, or story that is based in the Minneapolis / St Paul area? We want to hear about it! Email us at [email protected] or slide on into our DM’s on social media.

Also make sure to follow along with Sober Curator Contributor Ashley Sunderland @recoverygirlMN on IG

Looking for recovery resources in the greater Minneapolis /St Paul area? Be sure to check out our ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCE GUIDE and scroll to the Minnesota section.

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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