Sugar-Free Strawberry Fruit Spread

Serving ideas for this SURE JELL (CERTO Lite) recipe for sugarless spread include: mix with plain yogurt; spread on angel food or fat-free pound cake as a filling; mix with a little orange juice to make a glaze for ham, chicken or pork; sandwich between vanilla wafers, sugar cookies or ginger snaps; use a thin layer on the bottom of tarts.

Yield: 5 cups

Ingredient:

• 2 quarts/2 L  fresh Heeman strawberries (washed & hulled)
• 2 cans/710 mL  concentrated white grape juice (thawed)
• 1 box  CERTO Lite
• 1/2 tsp/8 mL  butter or margarine

Instructions:

1. Thoroughly mash berries, one layer at a time.
2. Measure 4 cups into a 6 to 8 quart deep saucepan. (Do not use a smaller saucepan or fruit spread will not set.)
3. Stir grape juice into strawberries.
4. Wash and sterilize jars.
5. Keep jars and lids hot in boiling water until ready to fill; drain.
6. Stir pectin gradually into fruit mixture.
7. Add butter.
8. Place over high heat; bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.
9. Remove from heat; skim off foam with metal spoon.
10. Quickly ladle into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops.
11. Wipe jar rims and threads.
12. Cover with two-piece lids.
13. Screw band tightly.
14. Invert jars 5 minutes or process with boiling water-bath.
15. Check to see that all jars have sealed.

Tip:

• Allow 1 week for spread to set before using