This delicious holiday jam, loaded with spices, chopped dried apricots, dates, maraschino cherries, pecans, raisins and crushed pineapple makes a wonderful holiday gift.

Holiday Fruit & Nut Jam

1 cup chopped dried apricots 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup raisins 1 cup water 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 cups granulated sugar, measured into separate bowl 1/2 teaspoon butter 1 pouch liquid pectin

6 (1-cup) canning jars, thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water and rinsed and soaked in boiling water

In a 6 or 8-quart cooking pot, combine apricots, dates, pineapple, cherries, pecans, raisins, water, lemon juice and spices. Stir sugar into fruit and add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil on high heat, stirring constantly.
Quickly stir in pectin and return to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8-inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly.
Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner; add boiling water to cover jars by 1 to 2-inches. Cover canner with lid; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely.
After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration will be necessary.

Makes about 6 (1 cup) jars.