Homemade Wild Oregon Blackberry Jam! Do-It-Yourself! Simple!

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There is Nothing Like Homemade Jam! Great Gift Idea, Too!

When I move to Oregon I was amazed at how bountiful this state is. You can walk around the block and more than likely you are going to find some wild blackberry vines growing. If you are lucky, sometime July thru September they are covered in blackberries.

This year we had a good crop of wild blackberries growing up the back side of our neighbor's fence and along a fence on a nearby vacant piece of property. So, my youngest, Gavin (11 months)got toted in the baby backpack and my oldest, Ethan (2 1/2) got to carry the bucket and help pick berries. It was fun for all! Ethan still asks to go back out and pick blackberries. Some of the blackberries were eaten fresh, some frozen for cobbler and the rest made into jam! Delicious.

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Ball Blue Book of Preserving 

This is the book I use for my recipes. You probably can find recipes on the internet as well. If you don't want to mess with home canning, try the inversion method (filling sterilized jars with homemade jam and inverting to seal) or making a freezer jam.
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Busy Bee

Getting the Blackberries! 

Whether you are making blackberry jam or another berry jam you still need the berries. Blackberries grow on vines which contain rather unfriendly thorns. I usually like to take my pruners and clip off the "guard vines", those vines that jut out from the main group and have NO blackberries on them. This makes the process a bit easier.

After that, it is a matter of picking the berries and putting them into your bucket or basket. You want only the ripe berries that easily separate from the vine. If you find yourself tugging to get the berries from the vine, they aren't ripe and won't be sweet. Test it out. Try a few berries right of the vine and you'll soon learn the ripe from non ripe.

Picking Bucket 

Any bucket or basket will do for picking, but if your looking for something different...check out this picking bucket!
Picking Bucket

Picking Bucket

Amazon Price: $53.00 (as of 12/04/2009)Buy Now
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Release Date: 12/31/1969

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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Home Canning Kit 

Here is a simple way to get everything you need to start waterbath canning! Check this out!
Jarden Home Brands 11102 Ball Home Canning Kit

Jarden Home Brands 11102 Ball Home Canning Kit

Amazon Price: $48.99 (as of 12/04/2009)Buy Now
List Price: $51.99

Product Description
Ball Home Canning Basics Kit, Consists Of A 21 Quart Waterbath Canner, Canning Jar Rack, 6 Pint Jars, 6 Collection Elite Lids, 1 Ball Blue Canning Instruction Book, 1 Jar Lifter, 1 Lid Wand, 1 Canning Funnel, 1 Bubble Freer, Everything Needed To Begin Canning.

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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Fresh Blackberries in My Picking Bucket

Washing the Berries 

Once you have picked your fill of berries it is important to wash them to remove all the debris that finds its way into your bucket. I prefer to fill my bucket of berries with cold water and decant off the debris that floats to the top. I do this several time adding a bit more water each time. Eventually I put my hand in to stir the berries around and bring up more debris. Once most of the debris is removed I transfer the berries in batches to my strainer and rinse off with my since sprayer. The clean berries are gradually added to a clean bowl.

Fruit Pectin on Amazon 

I have made jam using the natural pectin of the fruit (sugar + fruit cooked to the gelling point) as well as with commercially added pectin. The process is faster with the commercially added pectin and you do get a more solid jam.

Also, if you are looking for a low or no sugar option, check out the 'no sugar needed' pectins. The recipes are in the box!
Jarden Home Brands #51200 Ball No Sugar Pectin

Jarden Home Brands #51200 Ball No Sugar Pectin

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Water Bath Canners on Ebay 

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Fresh Picked Wild Blackberries

Making the Jam 

You'll need a few things you likely have around the house including a large pot, a long handled spoon and a measuring cup. If you are planning on canning your jam, you'll need jars, lids and rings, a water bath canner, a funnel, and a jar lifter. You will also need a lot of sugar unless you are using a no sugar pectin. Finally, a you'll need a recipe. If you use pectin, you will find the necessary recipes in the box. Otherwise you can purchase one of many canning books.

Cooking the Blackberries

Mason Jars 

You'll need pint sized mason jars or smaller for your jam. You can choose between wide mouth or narrow mouth jars, whichever your preference.
Jarden #61000 Ball 12PK PT Mason Jar

Jarden #61000 Ball 12PK PT Mason Jar

12 pack pint sized narrow mouth mason jars

Amazon Price: $16.69 (as of 12/04/2009) Buy Now

Jam for Gift Giving 


If you are making jam for gifts, check out some of the designer lids that are available.

Mason Jar Lids & Rings 

Check out some of these mason jar lids and screw bands.
Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Standard - Poinsettia

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Standard - Poinsettia

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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Standard - Gingham - Red

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Standard - Gingham - Red

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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Gingham - Red

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Gingham - Red

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Amazon Price: $5.75 (as of 12/04/2009) Buy Now
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Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Savoury

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Savoury

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Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Gingham - Blue

Bernardin Collection Elite Mason Jar Lids & Screw Bands - Wide - Gingham - Blue

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Amazon Price: $5.75 (as of 12/04/2009) Buy Now
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

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by Mom_of_Two_Boys

Hello. No surprises! I am indeed the mom of three boys, Ethan, Gavin & Devon. Mom is just one of the many roles I play. My children are great source o... (more)

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