Raspberry-Habanero Jam

Step 1

Before you begin, prepare calcium water.To do this, combine ½ teaspoon calcium powder (in the small packet in your box of Pomona’s pectin) with ½ cup water in a small, clear jar with a lid. Shake well.Extra calcium water should be stored in the refrigerator for future use.

Step 2

Wash and rinse jars, lids, and screw bands. Set screw bands aside until ready to use. Place jars in boiling water bath canner with a rack, fill at least 2/3 of the way full with water, and bring to a boil. Boil jars for 10 minutes to sterilize (add 1 additional minute of sterilizing time for every 1000 feet above sea level), then turn down heat and let jars stand in hot water until ready to use. Place lids in water in a small pan, bring to a low simmer, and hold there until ready to use.

Step 3

Combine the diced yellow pepper, the diced habanero pepper, and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan. Cover and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and simmer, still covered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Working over the sink or a large bowl, carefully transfer the pepper mixture into a fine-mesh strainer to drain the water from the peppers. Discard the water and set the cooked peppers aside.

Step 5

Gently pick through fresh raspberries to remove any leaves, stems, or damaged parts. Rinse the berries only if necessary.

Step 6

Place the raspberries in a mixing bowl and mash them lightly. A potato masher works well for this. Add the cooked peppers to the raspberries, and mix to combine.

Step 7

Measure out 4 cups of the raspberry-pepper mixture (If you have extra, simply use it for something else.) Pour the measured amount of the mixture into a large sauce pan. Add lemon juice and calcium water, then stir to combine.

Step 8

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and the pectin powder. Mix well and set aside.

Step 9

Raspberries in sauce pan on stoveBring the raspberry-pepper mixture up to rolling boil over high heat. Add the sugar-pectin mixture, then stir vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes, still over the highest heat, to dissolve pectin. Return jam to a boil, then remove from heat.

Step 10

Remove hot jars from canner and fill jars with jam, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Remove trapped air bubbles, wipe rims with a damp cloth, and put on lids and screw bands, tightening bands only to “fingertip tight” (until resistance is met, and then just the tiniest bit more).

Step 11

Place jars in the hot water, on the rack inside the canner. (Make sure jars are upright, not touching each other or the sides of the canner, and are covered with at least 1-2 inches of water). Place the lid on the canner, return the canner to a rolling boil, and boil for 10 minutes. (Add 1 minute additional processing time for every 1000 feet above sea level.)

Step 12

Turn off heat and allow canner and jars to sit for 5 minutes. Then remove jars from canner.

Step 13

Allow jars to cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. Then confirm that jars have sealed. Enjoy your preserves! Or store properly for later use.