Fresh ginger has such an intense flavor that it makes my taste buds scream every time I bite into it, and I love ginger jam because it has such a deep, sharp flavor compared to regular jams. If you like ginger, too, you’ll love this recipe! Here’s how to make ginger jam at home using ingredients you can find in your local supermarket or farmer’s market. The recipe calls for grated fresh ginger, but if you don’t have any on hand, the next best thing would be fresh chopped ginger from the produce section of your supermarket.
What is ginger jam?
Ginger is a delicious and spicy root used in a variety of cuisines around the world. Ginger jam is sweet spread made from finely chopped pieces of preserved ginger, sugar, water and lemon juice or vinegar that are cooked until thickened. The texture is somewhat similar to marmalade, while its taste has hints of pineapple. Usually served as an accompaniment to savory foods such as poultry or seafood dishes, it’s also great on toast or biscuits for breakfast. If you love Asian food and want to make something truly unique then here’s how to make some at home...
To begin making your ginger jam, simply peel off and discard any bruised skin from 4 - 5 ounces (120 - 150 grams) of fresh ginger. Wash it well under warm running water to remove any dirt and particles before roughly chopping into small 1/2-inch chunks using a sharp knife. Next you need to put these in a saucepan along with 2 cups (400 grams) of white granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (or white wine vinegar), 1 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg, 3/4 cup (185 milliliters) of cold water plus one tablespoon extra and one teaspoon black treacle (this gives more depth if substituted with another flavor). Make sure everything is well combined before placing over medium heat until boiling point. Stir occasionally while bringing to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until thickened and sticky enough to hold its shape on a spoon. Transfer immediately into sterilized jars and seal tightly before cooling completely overnight in a cool place. Once ready, keep stored in an airtight container for up to two months...
To make something truly unique why not try adding some crushed cardamom pods or cinnamon sticks? Or perhaps some thinly sliced pieces of dried ginger? Alternatively, mix together chopped preserved stem ginger with finely chopped crystallized ginger pieces for an added texture element...
Benefits of homemade ginger jam
Fresh ginger is more fragrant and has a softer, more mellow taste than its store-bought counterpart. It also offers benefits that aren’t as present in store-bought products: making homemade ginger jam means you know exactly what went into it and you get to leave out some preservatives (and other ingredients you don’t want in your diet). Enjoying a tasty treat while also maintaining your healthy eating plan can be hard to do—but making homemade ginger jam means you get to experience both. Just don’t overdo it on consumption—the sugar content of this tasty treat is pretty high. You can add it to yogurt or enjoy as an after-dinner snack without worrying about calories since one serving is only 2 tablespoons. That way, you can have just enough for flavor without worrying about going overboard. If you make a large batch, consider freezing half for later use so you always have it available when hunger strikes. It makes a great topping for ice cream or cake too! If using dried fruit such as apricots instead of fresh ones, remember to chop them up before adding them to avoid ending up with whole pieces of fruit in your jam later on down the line. The flavor will still be amazing!
Ingredients you will need for the recipe
Pectin, 1 tbsp. Ginger root, grated, 4 oz. Pears, cored and chopped, 2 each Sugar, 5 cups Lemon juice (1 medium) Apple juice (1 cup) Cinnamon sticks, 3 each Water, 6 cups + 2 tbsp. Directions: Put all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve on toast or scones. Makes about 8 pints of jam. Enjoy! The food blogging community is one of my favorite online communities to be apart of. The people are amazing and it's so fun seeing how creative everyone is! I'm super honored that these wonderful ladies were willing to participate in our guest post series. If you like what they have written here today, be sure to check out their blogs because they are all talented individuals who create delicious recipes!!
How long does it take to make?
You’ll need to prepare a few things in advance, but once you get started, it will only take about 15 minutes of active work (and less than an hour of total work) to make a batch. Like most homemade foods, though, it will improve with age—so don’t worry if you can’t eat it all right away! As long as you store it properly, there’s no limit on how long you can keep your homemade ginger jam. And once you have a jar on hand, you’ll never want store-bought again. It makes a great gift for friends and family, too!
Is it expensive?
While it is possible to find pre-made jams and marmalades, they’re usually more expensive than homemade recipes. Plus, you’ll be able to make a great deal of it and put into various jars or containers for later use. Making your own jams can also be a great way to reduce food waste. Instead of tossing out that odd looking apple on your counter, make apple jam instead!
Who should make their own?
Ginger is a versatile ingredient, and it can be used in a variety of dishes; however, most recipes call for small amounts of it. For example, you might need just 1 tablespoon of minced ginger to complement other flavors in an entrée. Luckily, it’s extremely simple to grow (or buy) and store. Here’s how to do both Chop up some fresh ginger and throw it into your freezer—it will keep there for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, take out as much as you need and grate or chop it before using. It won't have quite as potent of a flavor as freshly grated or chopped ginger, but frozen works well in many dishes where a subtle flavor profile works best. You can also find jars of pre-grated frozen ginger at most grocery stores—and those work great too!
This, That, or Something Else
To make a fine batch of homemade ginger jam, you'll need fresh ginger, water, brown sugar and cinnamon. There are three things to consider when it comes to choosing ingredients for your jam: size, shape and appearance. Size is important because you want an equal mixture of ingredients. Shape is important because you want every piece of each ingredient in every bite of your creation. Appearance is important because nobody wants to eat a lumpy looking sweet spread. Once you've chosen excellent produce that fits all these criteria, get started on making that homemade goodness!
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