Description
This vibrant, easy-to-make spread is perfect for busy families and health-conscious cooks seeking a unique, wholesome homemade treat. It transforms fresh jujubes into a delightful jam with honey and citrus, filling your kitchen with a warm aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh jujube fruit, pitted and roughly chopped (500g)
- 0.5 cup good quality honey (120ml)
- Zest and juice from 1 large lemon (0.25 cup)
- Zest and juice from 1 large orange (0.25 cup)
- 0.5 cup water (120ml)
- 1 pouch fruit pectin (45g), optional
- 1 cinnamon stick or 2 star anise pods, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Sugar-free sweetener alternative, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Jujubes: Wash 4 cups (500g) fresh jujube fruit, pit, and roughly chop them.
- Initial Simmer: In a heavy-bottomed 4-quart pot, combine chopped jujubes, 0.5 cup (120ml) water, citrus juice, and zest. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer 20-30 minutes until very soft.
- Smooth Jam (Optional): For extra smooth jam, use an immersion blender right in the pot until you reach your desired consistency.
- Sweeten Mixture: Stir in 0.5 cup (120ml) good quality honey and any optional spices, like a cinnamon stick, to the fruit mixture.
- Thicken Jam: If using, add 1 pouch (45g) fruit pectin according to package directions. Continue simmering, stirring frequently, for 15-25 minutes until the jam thickens and coats a spoon.
- Test for Set: Drop a teaspoon of hot jam onto a chilled plate. After 30 seconds, push it with your finger; if it wrinkles, your jam is ready.
- Jar It Up: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint (250ml) jars, ensuring you leave 0.25 inch (0.6cm) headspace at the top.
- Store Properly: Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for shelf-stability. Or, cool completely and refrigerate for immediate use.
Notes
If jam is too runny, simmer longer or add a bit more pectin. Adjust sweetness for personal or family preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Simmering, Canning
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15 g)
- Calories: 50 calories
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: jujube jam, fruit jam, honey, citrus, homemade, easy, pantry staple, preserve, sweet, wholesome
