Strawberry Apricot Conserve

About 7 jars

Ingredients

  • 4.5 cups (1125 ml) coarsely chopped strawberries
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped plum dried apricots, about 10
  • 6.25 cups (1625 ml) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 ml) coarsely chopped slivered almonds
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (50 ml) bottled lemon juice
  • 1 pouch (85 ml) Bernardin Liquid pectin

Description

  1. Wash, hull and coarsely chop strawberries into ½ inch (1 cm) pieces. Measure 4 ½ cups (1125 ml) into a large, deep, stainless steel saucepan; set aside. Chop dried apricots into ¼ inch (0.5 cm) pieces. Measure ½ cup (125 ml) into strawberries. Add sugar to fruit mixture and let sit 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  2. Place 7 clean 250 or 236 ml mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner; cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside; heat SNAP Lids in hot water, NOT boiling (180°F/82°C). Keep jars and SNAP Lids hot until ready to use.
  3. Coarsely chop slivered almonds. Measure ¼ cup (50 ml); set aside. Stir white balsamic vinegar and lemon juice into strawberry mixture. Over high heat, bring to a boil; add nuts. Return to a full, rolling boil. Stirring constantly, boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  4. Immediately stir in liquid pectin, mixing well. To prevent floating fruit, stir slowly 3 minutes. Skim foam.
  5. Ladle conserve into a hot jar to within ¼ inch (0.5 cm) of top rim (headspace). Using non-metallic utensil, remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim removing any stickiness. Centre SNAP lid on jar; apply screw band securely until fingertip tight. Do not over-tighten. Place jar in canner. Repeat for remaining jam.
  6. Cover canner; return water to a boil. At altitudes up to 1,000 ft (305 m), process – boil filled jars – 10 minutes.
  7. Remove jars without tilting. Cool upright and undisturbed for 24 hours; DO NOT RE-TIGHTEN screw bands. After cooling check jar seals. Sealed lids curve downward. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars as desired. Label and store in a cool, dark place.