Strawberry-Orange Jam

This is a dressed-up version of simple strawberry jam, has a nice 'tang' to it.  It makes a great breakfast jam.

juice and zest from one medium orange (use a micro-plane grater)
3 pounds strawberries, hulled and sliced
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 pouch liquid fruit pectin (optional)
Check out Jam Basics before beginning (click here).

In large preserving pot, combine the berries, zest and orange juice. Use a potato masher to crush the berries, while simmering over medium-low heat.

Remove pan and add the sugar.  Stir over medium-high heat to dissolve the sugar.  Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring and skimming off the foam until a droplet mounds on a chilled plate.  Add fruit pectin and boil one minute.

Ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars and process ten minutes.