It’s nearly impossible to imagine how many cultivars of apples there are out there. In fact, more than 7500 varieties are bred for various purposes. Enjoy them raw, cook jams and make soft or hard cider.
And, frankly, apple preserves are one of the reasons why so many people are mad about these fruits. Homemade pies are definitely the second thing. Or smeared on a warm toast with peanut butter or mixed with Greek yoghurt? Yes, apple jam can beat a lot of things in this world.
Apple pie – the much-loved dish
But what beats apple jam? Apple pie in a jar! Say what?
In fact, it is only cooked apples with spices. It reminds us of the winter outside. It is translated into culinary language as “unleash the power of your pantry – get those spices out!”.
It has warm, citrusy notes of cinnamon, a rich and subtly sweet scent of clove. And don’t forget the woody, bittersweet aroma of nutmeg! All these flavours are going to spin you around in a dance dedicated to the beautiful, gorgeous apples.
The simple cooking method of apple jam
Usually, when cooking with this type of fruit, it has enough pectin. That will make the mixture jellied to the right pleasant point. But some folks like it more solidified. In this case, add some extra pectin. But let’s trust our produce and its natural pectin power.
Take 6 apples, core, peel and finely chop them. Combine with 800 g of sugar, juice and zest from 1 lemon. Add 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, ½ tsp of ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp of ground cloves and ⅛ tsp of ground allspice. Mix everything in a pot and bring to a boil. Let it cook for 45 minutes while stirring occasionally.
When time is up, smear a little of the mixture on a plate. If gelled, then it’s ready to be processed further. Of course, you should taste this immediately, but this recipe is perfect for canning.
Get your apple pie into the jars
You surely want to have this mouthwatering dish ready whenever you like it! So, let’s preserve it.
First, sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water. Then put the jam right into hot vessels. Fill them almost to the top but leave 0.5 mm of air. Top with lids and place the jars in the bottom of a large stockpot with a rack.
Fill the pot halfway with water, bring it to a boil, and process for 10 minutes. Remove the jars from the pot and place them onto a cloth-covered surface. Let them sit until cool.
Now they are ready for consumption whenever you feel like it. And, what is more important, for presenting as gifts. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to please your loved ones with an apple pie in a jar.
What do you think?