To start with, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:
– 4 cups chopped peaches
– 2 cups wild plums, pitted and chopped
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Begin by washing and sterilizing your jam jars. To do this, simply wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and then place them in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes. Make sure you have enough jars to contain all of the jam.
Next, prepare your fruit by chopping the peaches and pitting and chopping the wild plums. You can leave the skin on the peaches if desired, as it will break down during the cooking process.
Once your fruit is prepared, add it to a large pot or Dutch oven. Pour in the lemon juice and stir to combine. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer, stirring occasionally.
Once the fruit is simmering, add in the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Continue to stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved completely.
Keep the jam at a simmering boil for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll want to cook the jam until it thickens and passes the wrinkle test. To determine if the jam has thickened enough, place a small amount onto a plate and let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Then, push the jam with your finger. If it wrinkles and retains its shape, it’s ready. If it’s still runny, continue cooking for a few more minutes before testing again.
Once your jam has reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat. Use a ladle to carefully transfer the jam into your sterilized jars. Leave about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth, and then screw on the lids and rings. To ensure a good seal, place the jars in a hot water bath for 10-15 minutes. Then, remove them from the water and let them cool completely.
Your delicious peach and wild plum jam is now ready to enjoy! This jam is a perfect addition to toast, biscuits, scones, or even as a topping for ice cream. Be sure to store any leftover jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
In conclusion, creating your own homemade jam is a fun and rewarding process. With this for peach and wild plum jam, you can savor the flavors of summer year-round. So grab some fresh fruit and get cooking!