Clove Spiced Plum Jam Recipes

PLUM JAM WITH COCOA AND CLOVES

Steps:

• Halve and seed the plums. Peel, core and dice the apple. Add fruits to a large pot with a thick bottom and set on medium-high heat.
• Add the sugar and stir to distribute. As the plums heat up, they will get softer. Gently mash the plums with a wooden spoon, trying to extract some juice. Keep on medium-high heat for the first 15 minutes and stir often, the plums will keep releasing more juice.
• Add the cloves to an empty teabag and place inside the pot. Stir in the cocoa. Lower the heat to low, close the pot with a lid and simmer for 45 minutes, just checking from time to time to ensure the jam is not sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Remove the lid and simmer 10 more minutes, just to reduce the jam slightly more. Stir often, as the jam will likely tend to stick at this point. Discard the teabag and blend for a smooth texture.
• Remove the jam from the heat and immediately pour into jars. Store refrigerated if jars are not sterilized.

SPICED PLUM JAM FROM FRESH PLUMS

Steps:

• Wash the plums well. To remove the seeds - first cut the plum in half. Next, cut the plum half with the seed, in half again (into quarters). One of these quarters will have the seed attached, which you can easily pull out. Alternatively, you can cut the plum flesh around the seed.
• Repeat with all the plums.
• Cut all the plums into 1 inch chunks (roughly). It's OK if the plums are a little crushed at this point, since they will be cooked down anyway.
• WEIGH the chopped plums, so you can decide how much sugar needs to be added. Place the plums in a large bowl (large enough to accommodate the sugar that will be mixed in too).
• Add sugar, salt, lemon juice and spices into the bowl. Mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (or up to 48 hours). Also, place some small saucers / bowls / spoons in the freezer for the jam test (explained below).
• When you're ready to cook the jam, scrape all of the plum-sugar mix into a large pot. Add the grated apple and stir to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir the mixture to let it heat evenly. Lower the heat to medium - medium low, and cook until the fruits start to soften.
• MASH the plums with a potato masher, OR you can pass about ¾ of the mix through a food mill (this will remove the skins).
• Continue to cook the plums until the mixture reduces and starts to thicken slightly. Stir frequently to prevent the jam from sticking to the bottom and burning. While the jam is cooking, sterilize some heat-proof jam jars and lids.
• Check the temperature of the plum jam every 10 - 15 minutes (more frequently as it thickens more). Cook the jam until the temperature reaches 220°F (105°C).
• If you don't have a thermometer, you can perform the JAM TEST. To do this, drop a little jam on a frozen surface (saucer / bowl / spoon). Then keep it in the freezer for about a minute and check the consistency. If the consistency is jelly-like without being runny, then you've cooked the jam to the right temperature. (If you run a finger through the jam to create a streak, the jam shouldn't join back up in the middle to fill the streak, if it's at the right consistency).
• Remove the pot from the heat.
• Using clean tongs, clean ladles and clean paper towels, carefully ladle hot jam into the hot, sterilized jars. Please be careful, as the jam and jars will be very hot at this stage (wear gloves or oven mitts to protect yourself).
• Screw on the lids while the jars are hot. As the jam and jars cool down, this will create a seal.
• Allow the jars to cool to room temperature completely. Then label and store.

SPICED BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Remove any stems from berries. Crush fruit 1 layer at a time. Measure 2 1/4 cups, packed solidly, if necessary, add water to make up amount, pour into very large saucepan or dutch oven.
• Add lemon juice, sugar and spices, mixing well. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring 1 minute Remove from heat and immediately stir in pectin.
• Ladle into hot jelly glasses or jars. Water bath can 10 minutes at 1000 feet. Remove from canner, cool and test lids.

CLOVE-SPICED PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Wrap cloves in cheesecloth or a spice sack; set aside.
• Inspect 9 glass jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine plums, lemon juice, water, and pectin in a large, deep saucepan over low heat. Bring to a boil.
• Add sugar and cloves. Cook, stirring continuously, until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 220 degrees F (104 degrees C), 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and discard cloves.
• Pour jam into sterilized jars. Wipe any drips off lip of jars, and add lids. Place on a damp towel to cool and self-seal; you will hear a popping sound as jam cools, about 2 hours.