Cheer for Cherries

Bing Cheeries are arriving on July 10th. I will put some up in the freezer with our Food Saver for making "Spiced Cherry Jam" when the temperature is more condusive to canning. Of course we will have to do some major taste testing.

Spiced Cherry Jam

4 cups pitted cherries

1 (2-ounce) package powdered pectin

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 and 1/2 cups sugar

Place pitted cherries into a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Pour chopped cherries into a heavy 8-quart saucepan along with pectin, lemon juice, almond extract, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Bring to a rolling boil. Stir in sugar and return to a full boil. Reduce heat to a slow boil and cook for 3 minutes. Pour into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace and seal with canning lids. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes or according to your canner manufacturer's instructions. Yield: 5 to 6 half-pints