OK, so the storm last night really cooled things off. All doors and windows open. Fresh, cool air all around! So, what will I do? How about making some Idaho Wild Huckleberry Jam? Sounds good to me. (If you can not get huckleberries at $8.00 per pound, try wild blueberries or elderberries.) Here is the recipe I use.

Wild Idaho Huckleberry Jam

Bob and Robin Young, Boise, Idaho
Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Yield: 12 ½-Pint jars

Ingredients:
5 lbs Huckleberries, fresh
¼ t Baking Soda
8 c Sugar
2 pkg Sure-Jell
12 ½ pint Canning jars and lids, sterilized

Procedure:
1. Pick over the huckleberries to remove stems. Wash. Place in a 12 qt pot and bring level up to 12 cups using water if necessary.
2. Simmer for 35 minutes or until reduced to 10 cups.
3. Measure out sugar and set aside.
4. Add Sure-Jell and mix. Bring up to a full rolling boil and boil for 3 minutes (No Longer) stirring constantly.
5. Add the sugar all at once and stir to mix. Bring up to a rolling boil of 220°F and reduce mixture by ¼.
6. Place a dish in the freezer. Place about 1 t of the liquid on the plate and return to freezer. Check to see if the jam is thickening to your liking. If not, return to freezer for another 3 minutes. Repeat until you are satisfied that the jam is correct.
7. When correct, immediately remove from heat. Pour the jam into sterilized canning jars. Place lids and rings on. Hot pack for 12 minutes. Remove from water and let cool until you hear the lids “pop”.

Cooking Times:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Inactive Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes

So, there is the recipe. There is a hot link to the recipe if you want a hard copy. If you have not seen the movie, Julia and Julia, you really gotta see this one. Funny, very funny, informative, although I don’t know how historically accurate it is. But there are parts that are factual – Julia Child’s trying to get published and her stint at Le Cordon Bleu. It’s a very well done movie. Go prepared to laugh! Cheers!