Strawberry Preserves

1 quart berries
2 1/2 cups sugar, divided

Cap and rinse berries, place in a large colander.
Pour boiling water over berries and let drain 1 minute.
Combine berries and 1 cup sugar in a dutch oven. Bring to a boil; boil 7 minutes, stiring frequently. Stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar; boil an additional 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pour strawberry mixture into a shollow 13 x 9 pan; skim off foam with a metal spoon.
Let stand, uncovered, in a cool place 12 hours; shake pan occasionally so that berries will absorb syrup and remain plump and whole.
Skim off foam with a metal spoon, pour preserves into sterilized jelly glasses, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
Cover with a 1/8 inch layer of parafin. cover with lids.