Can i use already cooked apples for jam?

[grannyhud]

I have managed to get hold of some apples to make apple and blackberry jam - but haven't got the blackberries yet, as they are all hard green bullets. Can i cook the apples and freeze them to await the harvest, or will they have lost their pectin by doing this?

It's still all a bit of trial and error - have made 2 batches of wild plum so far - first set like concrete, other is good for pouring!!

Maybe a and b will be more successful.

[Green Aura]

Hi grannyhud and welcome to Ish

In answer to your question - I think it will be OK. You can re-boil jam if it hasn't set so I don't see why you couldn't cook the apples and then boil them up with the blackberries. You could always use jam sugar but you might end up with more, different flavoured, concrete

But I've never done it. My apples were always ripe at the same time as the blackberries.

[grannyhud]

thanks green aura
I will get the apples ready tomorrow, and might even re-boil the pouring syrup to see if I can get it to a better set.
I have used jam sugar in previous 2 batches - didn't know you could use ordinary - is that just for high pectin fruit.
you can see I have swotted up - makes it sound as if i really know what i'm talking about, doesn't it? Don't be fooled!!
I have a thermometer, but never seems to make it to 105 degrees and I have to try the cold saucer method, but that seems very vague, at least to me

[Millymollymandy]

Can't you just store the apples until the blackberries are ripe? They don't go off quickly like most fruit does and as long as you store them somewhere cool and not touching each other they should be good for months.

[Millymollymandy]

I have used jam sugar in previous 2 batches - didn't know you could use ordinary - is that just for high pectin fruit.

You can use ord sugar for any fruit so long as you follow a recipe which tells you how much lemon juice to add for the fruits which are low in pectin, or add extra pectin (either bought or home made). I have never bought jam sugar as it costs more than twice as much as ord white sugar!

[grannyhud]

Thanks mmm - yes, I suppose I could store the apples - they are in the garage at the mo, and one has gone off, but others are okay - it just seems a bit warm in there at present, but if i separate them as you say, should be ok.
Yes, always have lemons in and ordinary sugar, so seems no point in spending more dosh that required

[Millymollymandy]

If you have room you could put them in the fridge which is the ideal storing temp and they should keep well in there. Whereabouts are you in the world? It's pretty unusual to have apples ripe before blackberries, although this year our blackberries are very late so they are coinciding with our very early apples!

[grannyhud]

I am near Grantham - have looked all over in different locations, were at the seaside (Lincs) on Monday, and whilst there are lots on the bushes, they are 99% unripe - the apples aren't mine, they are fromm a guy in the village who leaves them out for all to help themselves.
Luckily, I have been over to my dil today and she has picked me 2 tupperware boxes full of bbs- they are great - she lives 15 miles away from me!
I still keep looking - have managed to fall down a few holes whilst out walking, cos I was looking in the hedgerow and not where I was going!

[Millymollymandy]

That's good news! Maybe the ones on the coast are behind cos it is cooler there? Anyway you can go back later and pick them to make some bramble jelly.