The Sharing Jar by Ball  has a new geometric shape with a longer neck to allow for tags and ribbons, making it perfect for gifting! The modern shape also lends beautifully to beverage and crafting uses, while also remaining ideal for home canning. To top it off, in partnership with Feeding America® and for every package of Sharing Jars purchased, Newell Brands® will donate four meals (Newell Brands® will donate $0.36 per package of Sharing Jars sold, up to $150,000 provided to Feeding America®.  $1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.)

Ball Canning Back to Basics Cookbook, a new full-color guide that breaks down every step in water bath canning, perfect for the novice canner. Included inside, are fool proof recipes for jams, jellies, pickles & more. In honor of this new book release, and jam and jelly season, I wanted to share one of our favorites recipes from the new book with you and your readers, Mixed Berry Jam Recipe! If another recipe would be of interest, I also am able to share recipes for blueberry butter, bread & butter pickles, corn & cherry tomato salsa, guava-vanilla bean jelly, meyer lemon marmalade and more.

Mixed Berry Jam Recipe

Makes about 4 (1⁄2-pint) jars

Ingredients

• 2 2⁄3 cups crushed fresh berries (about 11⁄3 pounds)
• 3 tablespoons Ball® Classic Pectin
• 3 1⁄3 cups sugar

Steps

1. Place the berries in an 8-quart stainless-steel or enameled Dutch oven. Gradually stir in the pectin. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high, stirring constantly.
2. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim the foam, if necessary.
3. Ladle the hot jam into a hot jar, leaving 1⁄4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rim. Center the lid on the jar. Apply the band, and adjust to fingertip-tight. Place the jar in the boiling water canner. Repeat until all the jars are filled.
4. Process the jars 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat; remove the lid, and let the jars stand 5 minutes. Remove the jars and cool.

Change It Up

Instead of a mix of berries, you can chose to use just one.  This recipe works well with just raspberries or blackberries.

Low Sugar

Add 2⁄3 cup unsweetened fruit juice or water to the berries, substituting 3 tablespoons Ball® Low or No-Sugar Needed Pectin for the Classic Pectin. Reduce the sugar to 1 cup. This jam will have a looser set than the full-sugar version, but just as much fresh fruit flavor.

Because everything is better in a Mason Jar.