Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 30 to 55 minutes.

Plump, fragrant, sweet fresh strawberries call for their season to be extended throughout the year. The perfect answer - make a supply of your own delicious jam to spread on hot biscuits, ladle on crisp waffles, or dot on home-baked cookies. Make several extra jars to keep on hand to share with friends - a loving gift from your own kitchen.

For about 5 cups you will need:

5 c. fresh strawberries
5 c. granulated sugar
Grated rind from 1 orange
1/4 c. orange juice

Wash berries. Slice. Combine with sugar in a 4-quart enameled or stainless-steel pot. Let stand several hours or overnight, until natural juices form. Bring jam to boiling. Stir very gently until sugar dissolves. Keep at a moderate boil for 10 minutes. Add grated orange rind and orange juice. Return to heat and bring to boiling again. Test for a jelly-stage of 220 degrees on a candy thermometer (or when the liquid slides from spoon to form a large drop). This will be about 3 minutes after jam returns to boiling. Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour hot jam into hot, sterilized jars. Seal according to manufacturer's instructions.