I think by now you've figured out that everything is in full bloom around here. Between the smell of the honeysuckle and all of my roses blooming, the fragrance around the house is almost unbearable......in a good sort of way.
My zephrine rose which smells like raspberries is flourishing and so before the bugs get to it I thought I would pull a few blossoms off and make some rose jam.
Carefully we cut the roses.
Carefully we pull the petals off the rosehip.
Measure out 6 cups of rose petals.
Soak them in water for about an hour.
Pick up a handful of rose petals and squeeze the water out of them.
Bruise and squeeze the petals well.
After you've brusied one handful of petals, place it in the tray and sprinkle a little sugar so that each petal is touched by sugar. Keep repeating this process until all the petals have been brusied and sugared. They can be in the same tray. Cover and refridgerate over night. Save the remaining sugar for the following day.
Place the remaining sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. dissolve contents over a low heat. Stir the rose petals into the mixture and allow to simmer 20 minutes.
Bring to a boil and continue to boil for about 15 minutes until the mixture thickens. If you have a candy or jam thermometer, cook and stir until the jam reaches 221F or 105 C. Remove from heat and stir in one box of pectin. Place in a steril and warm jar.
Rose Jam Recipe
- 6 cups red, pink, or white rose petals.
- 2 cups of sugar
- 4 1/2 cups of water
- juice of 2 lemons
- one box of pectin
* Very important tip. Do not use roses which you have sprayed with insecticide. Your roses should smell very fragrant and be chemical free.
