Blackthorn Jam Recipe

Blackthorn berries (also known as sloe berries) are very easy to forage for in Autumn, but you want to wait until after the first frost if your plan is to make blackthorn jam (also known as sloe jam).

As jam recipes go, this is very easy to make.

After the first frost all of the blackthorn berries should now be ripe. If you pick them too early in the season it is tricky to spot which berries are ripe and which are not ripe.

YOU WILL NEED

• Juice and zest from 1 lemon.
• Pick 1 lb worth of berries.
• 1/2 lb of jam sugar.

If you are making a larger batch of jam just use a 2 to 1 ratio of berries to sugar. The ingredient amounts here will make approx. 4 small jars of jam.

Remember the wash the jars you intend to use in HOT water.

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a bowl clean, rinse and drain the blackthorn berries. Remove all of the leaves/seeds/etc.
2. Lay out the berries on a flat surface to dry. To speed up the process pat them dry with a paper towel.
3. Grate some lemon zest into a pot and squeeze the juice from the lemon into the pot.
4. Add the blackthorn berries and jam sugar to the pot, mix together evenly.
5. Boil the jam puree.
6. Any stones from the blackthorn berries should float to the top of the jam, which should look roughly yellow. Scoop them out with a spoon.
7. Continue to cook the jam puree for about 4 minutes, stirring regularly occasionally.
8. Pour the jam into hot jars to the brim, close tightly and leave to cool.

DONE! ENJOY!

I've also been looking for recipes for Blackthorn Berry Pie, so if you know of a recipe please leave a comment below.