Fragrant Homemade Apricot Plum Jam
Sweet & Tart Homemade Apricot Plum Jam from Overripe Fruit!
Do you have overly ripe or less flavorful fruits that often go to waste? Transform these fruits into delicious homemade jam! This recipe uses leftover plums and apricots to create a wonderfully sweet and tart jam, perfect for spreading on toast, mixing with yogurt, or using in desserts.
Jam Ingredients
- 5 ripe plums
- 7 fresh apricots
- Xylose sugar (70% of fruit weight)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (or 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the plums and apricots for making jam. Since we’ll be using the fruit with their skins on, wash them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt.
Step 2
After washing, cut the plums and apricots in half, remove the pits, and then chop the fruit into 2-3 larger pieces.
Step 3
Place all the pitted and chopped plums and apricots into a blender container.
Step 4
Secure the lid on the blender and blend the fruit until smooth, but with some slight texture remaining. (You can blend it completely smooth if you prefer.)
Step 5
Pour the blended fruit puree directly into a saucepan. To get all the fruit out, you can rinse the blender with a little water and add that to the pot as well.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add the sugar. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to your personal taste. I used 70% of the fruit’s weight. (Add more if you like it sweeter, less if you prefer it more tart.)
Step 7
Stir the sugar into the fruit gently with a spatula until combined. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve and draw out the fruit’s juices.
Step 8
After 20 minutes, when the fruit and sugar have melded, turn the heat to medium-high. Stir continuously with a spatula to prevent the jam from sticking to the bottom of the pot as it boils.
Step 9
As the jam begins to boil, you’ll notice foam forming on the surface. It’s a good idea to skim off this foam for a cleaner taste and clearer jam.
Step 10
Use a skimmer or spoon to carefully remove all the foam that rises to the surface. This step is important for achieving a clear and refined jam.
Step 11
Once all the foam has been removed, reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to stir the jam regularly to prevent it from burning or sticking.
Step 12
As the jam starts to thicken, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to enhance the fresh flavor and help set the jam. (If you don’t have lemon juice, apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.)
Step 13
After adding the lemon juice, keep the heat low and continue to stir and cook the jam, ensuring it doesn’t burn. It’s crucial to monitor the consistency as it simmers.
Step 14
After simmering for about another 20 minutes, the jam should gradually become thicker and reach your desired consistency. It should slowly drip from the spatula.
Step 15
Here’s a simple test to check if your jam is ready: place a small amount of cold water in a saucer. Drop a bit of jam onto it. If the jam holds its shape and doesn’t spread out, it’s perfectly set!
Step 16
Once the jam is ready, turn off the heat. Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, let them cool, and then store in the refrigerator for delicious homemade apricot plum jam!
