Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Last week I made some strawberry rhubarb jam, with rhubarb from my very own back yard.  Oh, it turned out so good!  This was the first time I have ever made jam that wasn't freezer jam.  It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. 
First I sterilized the jars.  I found out how to do that here,  and I read about how to make jam here.

After, I sterilized the jars I cut up the strawberries,

and the rhubarb.

Doesn't that look pretty?

After I cut up the rhubarb I decided to chop it up really fine in my little food processor.  I like jam that isn't chunky.  If you like chunky jam, you can skip that part.

Then I mixed them together in my big kettle. 

Next came 4 cups of sugar. 

The next step is to stir it.  It starts to get all syrupy and gooey.  Once it gets all gooey, bring it to a boil over medium heat and let boil for 15 minutes while stirring constantly.  Also, after it had cooked for a while I smashed it up with my potato smasher to make it even less chunky. 

After it has boiled for 15 minutes remove it from the heat, and add a package of strawberry jello.  Stir until dissolved.  Then pour jam into jars, and add the lids.

The final step is place the jars in a kettle of water, this is called a water bath, and bring to a boil.   Boil for 15 minutes.

Wall La!  Homemade strawberry, rhubarb jam. 

Here is the recipe I used:  (kind of)

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB JAM

4 c. rhubarb (I didn't have quite this much so I used more strawberries)
4 c. sugar
1 box frozen strawberries or raspberries (I used fresh)
1 (3 oz.) box strawberry or raspberry Jello
Mix rhubarb, berries, and sugar. Stir until it forms its own juice. Cook for 15 minutes after it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add Jello. Stir until dissolved. Put in jars. Seal or freeze. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for several months.

I also found this recipe helpful. 

What do you do when you want more rhubarb jam, but you are out of rhubarb?  Ask for rhubarb donations on the local freecycle Yahoo group.

I'm going to be busy making a lot more jam.  I should even have enough for some rhubarb crisp and muffins .  Oh, maybe some rhubarb muffins with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam on them.  My mouth is watering already.