Easy Nectarine and Easy Plum Jams

September 9, 2009 at 3:46 pm | Posted in jams & preserves, sweet things | 18 Comments

Before I really get into this, I want you to know that I do realize I’m basically recycling my Easy Apricot Jam post from back in July. But we’re all for recycling, right? Look– I even recycled these old jars…

In a lot of ways I’m ready for fall, but I want nothing to do with apples and pears quite yet…I’m still clinging for dear life onto the summer fruit and veg. Just this morning I went to the Union Square Greenmarket to restock my supply of peaches, raspberries and tristar strawberries, afraid that maybe by next week they’ll have disappeared. I find some consolation in the fact that, if I cook my fruit down with a little sugar and lemon juice, I can trap a piece of summer in a Mason jar and keep it for a few more weeks.

Easy Nectarine and Easy Plum Jams— makes 2 1/2 cups
adapted from Cooks Illustrated (July/August 1998)

Note: To prep your stonefruit, wash (and peel the nectarines…for the plums, you can leave the skins on), halve and pit them. Then slice them very thin. You want to wind up with 1 pound of fruit after prepping.

The jam will continue to thicken as it cools, so err on the side of undercooking. Because of its reduced sugar amounts, this jam cannot be canned.

1 pound prepared fruit, about 3 cups
1 cup plus 2 T sugar for plum jam/1 ¼ cups sugar for nectarine jam
2 T juice from 1 lemon

– Set a bowl over a larger bowl of ice water; set aside.

– In 10- or 12-inch skillet, bring fruit, sugar, and lemon juice to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly and skimming foam as necessary, until mixture begins to look syrupy and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes; remove from heat. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon fruit mixture into bowl over ice water; allow to set for 30 seconds. Tip bowl 45 degrees to one side; jam should be a soft gel that moves slightly. If mixture is liquid and runs to side of bowl, return skillet to heat and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes longer; then repeat test. Save the ice bath to cool the finished product.

-Cool jam to room temperature (over the ice bath) before serving or transferring to a clean glass jar or airtight container (you can sterilize first with boiling water, if you are so inclined). It will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to two weeks (I’ve kept mine for up to a month…but that’s just me).

18 Comments »

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Delicious recycling 😉

Comment by VeggieGirl— September 9, 2009 #

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This is a great idea for trapping summer in a jar!

Comment by Eliana— September 9, 2009 #

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Wow…. these look fabulous! Perfect for shortbreads/tarts, etc! I wonder if I could use the same technique for strawberries??? Hm…. love the photograph!!

Comment by mike— September 10, 2009 #

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- mike– you can…follow the link, cuz it gives the specifics for strawberries as well (just uses a diff amount of sugar, i think).
  
  Comment by steph (whisk/spoon)— September 10, 2009 #
  
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What beautiful colours…

I wouldn’t doubt that eventually, some office worker will come and ring your doorbell to buy a jar of jam from you, with all that beautiful publicity you make yourself, though your window! LOL

Very appetizing, Steph!

Comment by vibi— September 10, 2009 #

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Do you ever make blueberry jam?

Comment by Arlene— September 11, 2009 #

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- I have, but the local blueberries are gone till next summer.. 😦
  
  Comment by steph (whisk/spoon)— September 11, 2009 #
  
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yum! easy and delicious!

Comment by Gala— September 12, 2009 #

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I keep seeing some lovely jams around. These jams included. I was just thinking about tackling some in the upcoming summer – when it’s too hot to put the oven on. Have now bookmarked this. THANKS! 🙂

Comment by Julia @ Mélanger— September 12, 2009 #

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I’m okay with that kind of recycling – love reusing jars too. My great grandma’s canning jars are now my salt containers 🙂

Comment by Caitlin— September 13, 2009 #

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I should make jams more often. Homemade is the best!

Comment by Wendy— September 13, 2009 #

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These look pretty amazing! I really need to get on making my own jams 🙂

Comment by Sues— September 13, 2009 #

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Believe it or not, I just made my first jam two weeks ago and I was so thrilled with it that I’m already plotting to make some more. Your plum jam seems especially delicious. It’s already on my must try list 🙂

Cheers,
Monika

Comment by Monika— September 14, 2009 #

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This plum jam was awesome. Also awesome was the miniature plum cobbler we made with our leftover fruit. Go plums!

Comment by Hilary Singer— September 14, 2009 #

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What a terrific way to capture summer!

Comment by Cakelaw— September 14, 2009 #

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These look so delicious!!! I want to grab and spoon and just reach into the computer!

Comment by food librarian— September 19, 2009 #

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Since I can’t canned this, can I put them in the freezer?

Comment by Oki James— September 17, 2011 #

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- I think so. Also, they will really last about a month in the refrigerator, if you can use them up in that time.
  
  Comment by steph (whisk/spoon)— September 18, 2011 #
  
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