Old Fashioned Strawberry Preserves/Jam

Ingredients

• 3 (1 pint)  baskets fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 1/2-2 cups sugar
• 1-2 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

1. 1

   In a bowl coarsley mash the strawberries using a potato masher or fork, then place into saucepan.

2. 2

   Cook the strawberries over medium heat stirring until beginning to thicken (about 6 minutes).

3. 3

   Reduce the heat to low, add in sugar and lemon juice.

4. 4

   Increase the heat to medium and simmer gently until the mixture thickenes and mounds on the spoon (about 20 minutes) stirring frequently.

5. 5

   Remove saucepan from heat cool just slightly, then place in refrigerator for rapid jelling.

6. 6

   The preserves will thicken more while chilling and will keep for 1 week in refrigerator if tightly sealed (or after cooled completely the preserves may be frozen in plastic containers if desired).