Jam it up!

I love edible favors. Guests do too. And I love when those edible favors are practical enough that brides can do them on their own. For instance, jam! I made jam for the first time yesterday, and my mom wasn't kidding, it was super easy (a little bit of a bad idea in the 90 degree heat we had, but that was about the worst of it). Jam perks: it's easy to do ahead of time, it's easy to customize the packaging to your event, and most people like jam.

So here's how you do it, the concise making-jam-in-a-walnut routine: buy cute jars, lids and rings. Get berries. Wash berries and sanitize jars. Mush berries. Measure mushed berries into a pot. Add pectin and bring to boil. Add measured sugar. Stir. Bring back to boil. Pour in jars. Lid the jars. Boil jars. VOILA! Each box of pectin has detailed instructions for how much to measure for what type of fruit so consult for specifics. And for the record, I liked the box instructions better then the internet. But in case you like the internet, this is a good site: www.pickyourown.org/jam

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When it comes to knowing how much to make, the box underestimated a bit I discovered. One batch (and jam should be made one batch at a time, no doubling up here folks. A batch only takes around 30 minutes so suck it up!), made 5 pints, or almost 10 half pints or up to 20 4 oz jars. 15 pounds of raspberries got us 20 pints or the equivalent of 80 4 oz jars. It just depends on what size jar you'd like to give your guests.

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A good result is always in the details and I would recommend picking your own berries. They're super fresh and they just taste better. Seriously. Something about that sun warmed and ripened berry waiting for you just makes the prouct that much better. And ps, u-pick means local, fresher and CHEAPER then the grocery store.

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Extra Credit: Small baskets of jam, orange juice and scones waiting for each couple after a late night of partying and dancing at your wedding. Nothing says "thanks for coming!" like a hearty and simple breakfast to get your guests past their morning hangover :)