When I find really cheap jars of jam, I buy at least 2. I open and start using alternatively so they are both about half or more empty at the same time. Then I take whatever fruit I have that's a bit spoiled. I cook the fruit in its own juice, or even in microwave for a few minutes, then put the fresh fruit in with the remaining jam so I have two new jars of jam.
I just keep doing this - and I have had some great combinations. Eventually it has to come to an end, but I use those last dregs on my morning cereal. Also of course I keep the jars. Then when I buy two jars of cheap jam I share them out amongst the old jars, fill with fruit and away we go again.
I do not really know how to cook jam, so this means I have jars of preserves without much trouble. Sometimes, I put oranges or mandarins with their peel sliced and call it marmalade. Sometimes, I put lemons in with pickles and spices like cumin and basil. I just got two jars of thick Rhubarb jams for less than one dollar. They were on the bottom shelf at the back.
By joanfry
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Today I bought one stick of rhubarb. I chopped it and boiled it in a tiny drop of water, so it could make its own juices. I emptied the dregs of my jar of marmalade into the pan, cooked for a few minutes, then put it all back into the jam jar. It occurred to me that I could have put the fresh fruit straight into the jam jar and cooked it all in the microwave.
Also, if I buy a new jar of jam, I divide it into four jars, fill with freshly cooked fruit of the day, especially the last of something seasonal (i.e., last pear, grapes, or even bananas with apples). A bit like grown up baby food in jars.
By joanfry from Europe
