:: jam today, more jam tomorrow

I made some jam last week as well, from plums that came from trees at the farm. I gave a jar to Fiona and she's reported back that it's delicious (I haven't tasted it yet, I'm still finishing the last of the blackcurrent and some strawberry/raspberry another friend made). I only made five jars of plum jam -- originally six, but then it didn't set so I had to boil it again and a whole jar's worth boiled away -- because I only had five jars. I use jars from other things, like honey and pasta sauce, and hadn't managed to save up very many.

But! Today I discovered that Lakeland Plastics sells jam jars by the dozen, with screw-on lids. Hurrah! A bit late for this year's jam-making, but I'm thinking it might be nice to try making some marmalade. Once I've got a jam pan. Back on the internet I made an interesting discovery -- it may be cheaper to buy an old copper jam pan in an antique shop than a new one. The cheapest antique was a sturdy-looking one, beautifully blackened on the outside, for £32. The cheapest new one was a nasty aluminium job. Yick, and still £40. Stainless steel is about £50-£60, and copper? Fuggedaboudit -- £79.

I love making jam and people really appreciate it, because hardly anyone makes jam any more and store-boughten jam is mainly pumpkin and marrow, I'm told. So! I'll be cooking with gas next summer.