Mrs Beetons Jams and Preserves Revisited
Damson Jam
Damsons
To every 450g (1lb) of Fruit allow:
340g (12oz) Sugar
Have the fruit gathered in dry weather.
Pick it over and reject any that is at all blemished.
Stone the damsons, weigh them and to every 450g (1lb) allow 340g (12oz) of sugar.
Put the fruit and sugar into a preserving pan.
Keep stirring gently until the sugar is dissolved and carefully remove the scum as it rises.
Boil the jam for about an hour, reckoning from the time it starts to simmer all over, it must be well stirred all the time or it will be liable to burn and stick to the pan, which will cause the jam to have a very disagreeable flavour.
When the jam looks firm and the juice appears to set, it is done.
Then take it off the heat.
Pour into into sterilised jars.
Let it cool and cover with airtight lids.
Store in a dry place.
Time: 1 hour after the jam simmers all over.
Sufficient: 900ml (1½ pints) of damsons for a 450g (1lb) pot.
Seasonable: Make this in September or October.
DAMSON JAM
1538. INGREDIENTS - Damsons; to every lb. of fruit allow 3/4 lb. of loaf sugar.
Mode - Have the fruit gathered in dry weather; pick it over, and reject any that is at all blemished. Stone the damsons, weigh them, and to every lb. allow 3/4 lb. of loaf sugar. Put the fruit and sugar into a preserving-pan; keep stirring them gently until the sugar is dissolved, and carefully remove the scum as it rises. Boil the jam for about an hour, reckoning from the time it commences to simmer all over alike: it must be well stirred all the time, or it will be liable to burn and stick to the pan, which will cause the jam to have a very disagreeable flavour. When the jam looks firm, and the juice appears to set, it is done. Then take it off the fire, put into pots, cover it down, when quite cold, with oiled and egged papers, the same as in recipe No. 1530, and store it away in a dry place.
Time - 1 hour after the jam simmers all over.
Average cost, from 6d. to 8d. per lb. pot.
Sufficient - 1-1/2 pint of damsons for a lb. pot.
Seasonable - Make this in September or October.
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