This simple chokecherry jelly recipe comes together without storebought pectin for an easy wild foraged preserve. Chokecherry jam (or fruit butter) takes a bit more work, but it's another possible variation.

Our absolutely favorite thing this year is Zucchini Jam. If anyone has ever gifted you with Christmas Jam or Strawberry Surprise Jam you might have already tried it and not even known. See, it's made with zucchini and crushed pineapple. Then you add whatever flavor of Jello you like to stand in for the fruit. It's spectacular and such a chameleon. It tastes like the real thing... or better! Here's how I make it. Most recipes I see on line use a ton more sugar (at least six cups) and much less lemon juice (as little as 2TBL) so I think the sweetness and tartness is a matter of taste. This jam is plenty sweet enough, IMHO. Also I've seen cook times vary all the way from three hours to ten minutes. This set of times has worked great for us. Please bear in mind that we live at 6050ft above sea level and I have no idea how that effects jam. I just know that this works. Awesomely! Pick Your Flavor Zucchini Jam Ingredients: 6 cups of grated Zucchini/Courgette (peel it if you don't like the skin to show. I love the skin bits, so pretty) 1/2 cup water 4 cups sugar 3/4 cup lemon juice 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice 1 (6 ounce) box raspberry Jell-O (you can use any flavor, strawberry is AMAZING!) 1 (2 ounce) box surejell fruit pectin or equivalent - I currently use 6 TBL of a powdered pectin. Directions: 1. Place nine clean glass half-pint jars ( or 5 pint jars... or whatever you have on hand) with hot/boiling water in them on a cookie sheet in the oven at 200 degrees. Put the matching lids and rings in a pan with hot water on the stove at a simmer. Do this first as the cooking times really fly by and you want them to get good and hot! (I usually put a dishtowel under the jars so they don't slide around. Forgot this time and it was tricky to get them in and out of the oven) 2. Bring 1/2 cup water and 6 cups of zucchini to a boil thel let simmer for 6 minutes. 3. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and pineapple (juice and all) and let boil for 6 minutes. 4. Mix in the Jello and boil 2 minutes. 5. Add Surejell and boil for 1 minute. Bonus Step: I don't like texture at all. *shudder* So I use my immersion blender at this point to mulch up all the pineapple and zucchini bits. If you like 'fruit pieces' in your jam then it's great as is. I could never handle that so I blend it. The zucchini skin gives the impression of seeds, and is very pretty, but doesn't have any discernible presence in your mouth. Be sure to take appropriate safety measures when blending molten jam. Burns hurt. Note: I added the jello and Sure-Jell, blended it and then boiled it. Sort of out of order but it seemed fine. Also I got some foam... this has never happened before so I skimmed it off. 6. Turn off heat and move pot to the counter where you'll be filling the jars (easier to clean than the stove). Take the jars out of the oven and carefully pour out the water. Ladle jam into the hot jars. I leave some headroom - not sure the proper amount but I live 1/2 - 3/4 inch. 7. Wipe rims with a damp cloth, put lids and rings on to finger tight and then turn jars upside down for 5 minutes. 8. Flip them back over and keep an eye on them. Once the lids all 'pop' they're ready to store, it can take up to 24 hours. I usually refrigerate mine for a bit after a few hours so they gel up faster but I'm a little weird. NOTE: this jam looks very runny, but after cools it sets up quite firm. I know how solid your jam is can be regional thing and/or a matter of personal preference. If you want it runnier I'd skip the Sure jell. My dog loses his mind for a taste of jam and homemade bread. Linked Up: Tatertots and Jello Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays Skip to My Lou: Made by You Monday My Sweet and Savory

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I can't think of a better way to use fresh tomatoes (except fresh salsa) than using them in this recipe. Tomato relish with a nice kick. I made this one a while back when I had so many tomatoes I had to find another way to use them. Carol sent me the link and boy am I glad she did. The recipe is from Cathy Shambley @ Showfood Chef. She adapted the recipe from the Minimalist. We used it as a spread and on cream cheese. I took some to work and the girls used it as a dip for corn chips. It's so good and you can make it hotter by changing out the chiles. Enjoy!!!! Cowboy Tomato Jam ShowFood Chef 1 lb. Garden fresh tomatoes (peeled, cored and chopped) 12 oz. sugar 1 lime -use both juice and zest 1 Tbls. fresh grated ginger 1 whole finely chopped Jalapeno-use 2 if you want it hot 1 tsp each: cumin, black pepper and cinnamon 1 tsp. salt Start by sterilizing your jars, I used pint jars and got 2 jars. Let jars dry and ladle hot water in a small bowl over the bands and lids. Put a lid on the canner to keep the water hot (on med/low). In a large deep saucepan add all ingredients together into pan on med heat until sugar completely dissolves, stirring almost constantly. Continue to stir and bring to a boil until the temperature reaches 220°F. It's ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and leaves a trace when you drag your finger through it. Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars leaving 1/2" headspace. and seal with lids. Tighten bands finger tight. Place the jars into the water bath and process for 10 minutes. Be careful when removing the jars, they get super hot. Place on the counter on a dishtowel or cutting board and let sit until cool. You should hear the popping sounds of the lids when they seal. after they cool, test the lid by pressing down gently if it gives, then it's not sealed properly. Store in the refrigerator and use withing a week. Store the sealed jars in a cool dry place. You don't have to can it, but it's always nice to have canned goods in your pantry to use later! Featured 9/30/15 on Miz Helen's Cottage Featured 10/2/15 on Olives -n- Okra

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