Blueberry Preserves Recipe

This recipe for blueberry preserves is from "Mes Confitures: The Jams and Jellies of Christine Ferber." It requires just three ingredients—blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice—and a preserving pan, which is a pan specifically used for cooking jams and jellies. Compared to traditional saucepans, a preserving pan (also called a jam pan) has a narrower bottom, creating more surface area for liquids to evaporate. If you don't have a preserving pan, you can still make this easy jam, just use a wide stainless steel saucepan.

Blueberry preserves last for about a month in the fridge, so you'll be able to enjoy it on top of pancakes or toast for a sweet breakfast, or paired with crackers and goat cheese for an elegant snack. When it's time for dessert, try topping your favorite ice cream with blueberry preserves.

Directions

Rinse blueberries:

Rinse the blueberries in cold water without soaking them.
Simmer berries with sugar and lemon juice:

Place blueberries in preserving pan with the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
Refrigerate overnight:

Pour simmering mixture into a ceramic (or glass) bowl. Cover with parchment round and transfer to refrigerator. Refrigerate overnight.
Boil over high heat:

The next day, transfer mixture to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring gently.
Cook and stir:

Continue to cook over high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring and skimming as necessary.
Check temperature:

Check set (mixture should reach 221°F).
Transfer to jars:

Pour the jam into sterilized jars, filling to the fill line. Repeat process with remaining jars. Put lids and rings on jars and tighten; do not overtighten.

How Long Do Blueberry Preserves Last?

These blueberry preserves are what is called a quick jam or refrigerator jam. It takes less time to make them because the jars of jam are not processed in a hot water bath or a pressure canner after the jam is made, but this means they need to be refrigerated. Store the blueberry preserves in the refrigerator and use within one month.