Quality: Select fresh, ripe, and firm blueberries. Unsweetened frozen
blueberries may be used. If sugar has been added, rinse it off while
fruit is still frozen.
Procedure: Wash and drain fresh blueberries. For fresh fruit, place 6
cups at a time in 1 gallon boiling water. Boil each batch 1 minute
after the water returns to a boil. Drain but keep heated fruit in a
covered bowl or pot. Combine sugar and Clear Jel(tm) in a large
kettle. Stir. Add water and, if desired, food coloring. Cook on
medium high heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add
lemon juice and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Fold in drained
berries immediately and fill jars with mixture without delay, leaving
1 inch headspace. Adjust lids and process immediately. See Table 1
for suggested quantities.
Table 1. Blueberry Pie Filling. Quantities of Ingredients Needed (See
ingredient list above).
Table 2. Recommended process time for Blueberry Pie Filling in a
boiling water canner.
Style of Pack: Hot.Jar Size: Pints or Quarts. Process Time at
Altitudes of 0-1,000 ft: 30 min.
1,001-3,000 ft: 35 min.
3,001-6,000 ft: 40 min.
Above 6,000 ft: 45 min.
======================================================= ===== * USDA
Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539 (rev. 1994) * Meal-Master
format courtesy of Karen Mintzias
