Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

Instructions

Combine the sugar, lemon
zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is
dissolved. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries
release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly. Cook until a small amount of the juice gels on a
very cold plate. (I keep one in the freezer.) Pour carefully into 2 pint canning jars and either seal or keep
refrigerated. Use immediately, or follow proper canning guidelines below.

Tips on Sterilizing Jars:

Properly-handled sterilized equipment will keep canned foods in good condition for years. Sterilizing jars is
the first step of preserving foods.

Sterilizing Tips:

Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a
glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum
seal when processed.

To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water.
Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Leave in a preheated 175
degree F oven for 25 minutes. Or, boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15
minutes.

Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from either boiling water or the oven. Be sure
the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes.

As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process
of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your
hands.

After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing

instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned
products.