For the last few years I have let the weeds go in the back of my property and noticed this year that I have an over abundance of what I thought were Black Rasberries. When I tasted them, they were sort of tart unlike what I thought they should taste like.

I did some research online and found I actually had Wild Blackberries and no, they are not poisonous.
Having so many of them, even though they were tart and something I would not eat just picking them, I thought it would be a shame just to let them ripen and dry up.

Well I think I just ruined my first attempt at making Jam lol.

I had collected 4 cups of berries, brought them in the house, washed them several times, put them in a pan, crushed them with a potato masher and turned up the heat. They started to liquify as I was mashing them, so I gave it a taste. YUCK

It didn't have any distinctive taste and surely needed sugar at which time I added a cup. After I did that I thought I better check on the computer again for recipies. TO LATE..

I found I was doing everything right except many of the recipies called for 4 to 7 cups of sugar and pectin which helps to solidify the jam. I only added a 2nd cup of sugar because with tasting it was sweet but still no distinctive taste. I didn't have pectin BUT I did have a box of strawberry sugar free instant Jello. What the heck, why not (chuckle).

Big Mistake, now it has that sugar free instant taste. I also didn't want the seeds and you know I wasn't prepared to really make this so I didn't have a cheesecloth. I tried straining all I could from my colander. I still have some seeds but got most out.

I got 3 cups cooling in my fridge waiting for them to set up so I can decide if I need to toss it all.

I have many more Blackberries to ripen yet, so I'll try it again doing it the right way but like I said, not sure if I will bother where the Blackberries really don't have any distinctive flavor or lets say a flavor I care for. Or maybe I should just STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!

Recap: The jams been in the fridge for about 2 hours, in checking one for setness I dipped a spoon in and it had a 1/8 " firm setting on the top but underneath was still runny. I tasted again, Not that bad considering the sugar fee flavor but I can now taste a faint flavor of Blackberry. I just might do this again.