Blueberries bring to mind fingers stained purple-blue, fruity pies and cobblers, and warm, fresh-from-the-oven muffins. When buying blueberries, look for plump, firm, fresh berries that are a light, powdery, blue-gray. If refrigerated, fresh blueberries will keep for up to three weeks. When blueberries are in season, freeze them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Once they are frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container. This is a basic formula for making jam. I’ve added a small amount of candied ginger at the end. The underlying ginger flavor is subtle, but it really complements the blueberry.

　　

Ingredients

makes about 8 cups, eight 1/2-pint jars

　　8 cups (4 pints) blueberries

　　4 cups sugar

　　Juice of 1 lemon

　　Pinch of fine sea salt

　　1 tablespoon finely chopped candied ginger

　　

Step 1

Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Place several small plates in the freezer to use later to test the consistency of the jam.

　　

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Let stand until the berries start rendering their juice, about 15 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, sterilize eight 1/2-pint canning jars and lids in boiling water, following the manufacturer’s instructions (or see Boiling-Water Canning, page 279). Remove the jars from the water and place upside down to drain on the prepared rack. Remove the lids from the water and dry with a clean towel. Turn the sterilized jars right side up on the rack, using tongs or a kitchen towel to protect your hands. When they are cool enough to handle, dry them with a clean towel. Set aside.

　　

Step 4

Follow the procedure for Raspberry Jam (page 289), including bringing the blueberry mixture to a boil and cooking until the mixture reaches the jelling point, preparing the canner, filling the jars and boiling them gently for 5 minutes, and checking that the seals on the jars are good. When the jam reaches the jelling point (220°F), add the candied ginger and stir to combine. Store the unopened jars of jam at room temperature for up to 1 year. Once the jam is opened, store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

　　

variation

Step 5

For refrigerator or freezer jam, transfer the mixture to sterilized freezer-safe plastic containers or freezer-safe jars with lids, leaving 1 inch of headroom. Freeze for up to 1 year or refrigerate for up to 1 month.

　　From Bon Appétit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories From Three Generations of Southern Cooking, © 2008 by Virginia Willis. Reprinted by permission of Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Abe Books.