Gingerjam Recipes

GINGER MARMALADE

Steps:

• Divide the ginger in half, and chop half into cubes; shred the other half with a box grater or in a food processor using the shredding blade. Total ginger should equal 3 cups. Place the ginger into a large saucepan with water over medium heat, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the pot, and simmer the ginger until tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Add more water if needed to keep mixture from drying out. Pour the cooked ginger into a fine-mesh strainer, drain, and retain 1/2 cup of the ginger-flavored water. Place the cooked ginger in a bowl with the retained liquid, and cool at least 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.
• When ginger is thoroughly cooled, place into a large, heavy-bottomed pot, and stir in the sugar; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the pouch of liquid pectin, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 7 more minutes, skimming foam from top of marmalade.
• Sterilize the canning jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the marmalade into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

RHUBARB GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Stir rhubarb, sugar, ginger, and lemon juice in a large pot and allow to stand until rhubarb releases its juice, about 20 minutes. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; cook until thickened, about 15 minutes, stirring often.
• Sterilize the jars, lids, and rings in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the jam into the sterilized jars, filling them to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all).

ORANGE GINGER MARMALADE

Steps:

• Run five jars through the dishwasher to sterilize them and then place them in a low oven until dry. Place a saucer in the freezer.
• Halve the oranges and squeeze the juice from them into a large saucepan. Save the pips for later.
• Slice each orange half in half again so that you have quarters. Using a metal spoon, scrape the pith from the peel and save this for later too. Using a square of muslin cloth, make a package for the seeds and pith by tying it into a bundle with string.
• Slice the orange peels into fine shreds and place it in the pan with the orange juice, lemon juice, chopped ginger and the bundle of pith and pips. Add water. Bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove the muslin bag from the pot carefully and squeeze the liquid back into the pan.
• Add all of the sugar to the orange and ginger mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a rapid simmer. Skim any foam which appears on the top. Cook on medium heat until mixture thickens.
• Remove the saucer from the freezer and place a spoonful of marmalade on it.
• Remove the pan from the heat and leave the marmalade rest for 10 minutes. Transfer to the sterilized jars with a spoon or ladle. Wipe the rim of each jar and place the lids on tight.
• Store in a cool dry cupboard. Once opened, store in the refrigerator.

GINGERSNAPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets with shortening or cooking spray, or line with cooking parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with a spoon, until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar.
• Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Dip tops into granulated sugar. On cookie sheets, place balls, sugared sides up, about 3 inches apart.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.

LEMON-GINGER MARMALADE

Steps:

• Peel the zest from the lemons with a vegetable peeler, avoiding as much of the white pith as possible. Slice the zest strips crosswise very thinly at an angle to make strips about 1/16 inch wide by 1 inch long-you'll need 1 cup of zest strips. Put the zest in a 4-quart (or larger) saucepan. Trim the ends from the zested lemons to expose the flesh. With one cut side down on the cutting board, trim the pith off the lemon all the way around and discard the pith. Quarter the lemons lengthwise and remove any visible membranes and seeds. Slice the wedges crosswise 1/4 inch thick-you'll need about 1-1/2 cups. Add the sliced lemons, ginger, and 2 cups water to the lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, adjust the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until the zest is soft and the membranes start to break down, 6 to 8 minutes. Whisk the pectin into the mixture. Increase the heat to high, add the sugar, and bring to a boil, whisking constantly to smooth lumps. Boil vigorously for 1 minute, whisking constantly (move the pan off the burner momentarily if it threatens to boil over). Remove the pan from the heat and let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Skim any foam and seeds off the surface of the marmalade. Stir gently to redistribute the solids. Transfer the marmalade to heatproof storage containers, let cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for up to 1 month. For longer storage at room temperature, can the marmalade. See the canning directions below.
• Transfer the hot marmalade to clean, hot canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace in each jar, and wipe the edges clean with a paper towel. Screw the lids on tightly. Put the jars in a large pot of water fitted with a rack insert. The water should completely cover the jars by at least 2 inches. Return the jars to the pot of water and make sure the water covers them by at least 2 inches. Boil, covered, for 10 minutes. Use tongs to remove the jars; let them cool undisturbed on the counter. You should hear a popping sound as the jars cool, indicating that the vacuum seals have worked.

SIMPLE GINGER MARMALADE (GINGER JAM)

Steps:

• First, peel and slice the ginger into long, thin slices trying to avoid any pieces that are very hard and fibrous.
• Add the ginger and enough water to fully submerge it to a saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce to a gentle simmer for 45 minutes. This will help to reduce the pungent, strong flavor of ginger.
• Drain the water (note: you can keep it and drink it or freeze in ice cubes and add to smoothies, lemonade, or iced tea).
• Next, mix the 1 cup of water with the cane sugar and powdered pectin.
• Then pour the mixture over the ginger in the pot and boil for another 25 minutes over medium heat.
• Transfer to a sterilized jar (process in notes) and allow it to cool down (it will continue to thicken as it cools), then cover and store.

PEAR AND GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Place a couple of saucers into the freezer and sterilise your jars; I do this by washing them in hot, soapy water, rinsing well then placing the jars, and their lids, in the oven on a low heat until needed.
• Place the pears, apples, lemon zest and juice, ginger and water into a deep, heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring up to a simmer and simmer gently for about 15 minutes, until the fruit is tender.
• Stir in the sugar and stem ginger and heat gently until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• Turn up the heat and cook at a rapid boil for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches 105C on a thermometer; stir regularly to prevent it from catching on the bottom.
• Remove from the heat and place a teaspoonful of the jam on one of the cold saucers; pop it in the fridge for a minute then push at it with a finger, if the surface of the jam wrinkles then it is ready; if not then return the pan to a rapid boil for another five minutes then remove from the heat and check again.
• Allow the jam to cool for 5-10 minutes, then ladle it into hot sterilised jars, seal and allow to cool. Once opened keep refrigerated.

PLUM AND GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Halve the plums, remove the stone and place the plum halves into a large ceramic bowl. Save 10 to 12 plum stones and discard the rest.
• Sprinkle the plum halves with 4 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Cover with a tea cloth and put to one side for 2 hours at room temperature, or preferably overnight in the fridge if you have the time. After a few hours, you will see the sugar has melted and the plums have rendered up plenty of juice. When this happens it is time to make the jam.
• Place all the plums, the juices, the remaining sugar, and the ginger, if using, into a large, heavy-bottomed or preserving pan. Place over medium heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat until the jam begins to bubble and boil the mixture for approximately 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes to avoid the sugars sticking to the sides of the pan.
• Put a clean saucer or tea plate into the freezer.
• Crack the shells of the pits and remove the tiny kernels inside.
• Place the kernels in a teacup and cover with boiling water for 1 minute.
• Strain the kernels; the skin should come away from the kernel easily. Reserve.
• After the jam has boiled for 10 minutes, take the saucer or plate from the freezer, take a small spoonful of the jam and place onto the saucer. Pop it into the fridge for 5 minutes. Push the edge of the jam on the saucer and if it "wrinkles" the jam is ready. If not, continue to boil on high heat. Repeat the jam setting test until the jam shows "wrinkles" when pushed.
• Once the jam is ready, turn off the heat but do not remove from burner. Leave it to stand for approximately 10 minutes.
• Take your hot, sterilized jam jars one by one and, using a jug and a funnel, carefully fill to the neck of the jar.
• Once all the jars are filled, divide the kernels between the jars.
• Cover the surface of the jam in the jar with a wax disc-this will help prevent mold forming during storage. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid or a cellophane disc secured with an elastic band. Leave to cool.

GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
• Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until very thick, 30-45 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
• Refrigerate. Warm to room temp before serving.

PEAR & GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Peel and chop the pears and apples into small chunks. Place a couple of tea plates in the freezer for later.
• Place half the pears and all of the apples into a preserving pan, with just enough water to cover the fruit, and simmer gently until soft and mushy (about 40 mins)
• Remove from the heat, add the sugar, pectin, ginger, lemon juice and zest, also add the rest of the chopped pears. Put the pan back on the heat and dissolve sugar gently.
• Once the sugar is dissolved, bring to the boil, and boil rapidly for about 15 minutes, or until setting point has been reached. If you are getting a scum on top, put a nob of butter in at this stage.
• To check if the jam has set, put a small amount on the cold tea plate, then push gently with the spoon, the jam should wrinkle.
• Pour into sterilised jars.