Ginger Jam Food

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.

BLUEBERRY GINGER JAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients.
• Place over high heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer until thick and shiny, about 30 minutes. May be served warm as a sauce, or allowed to cool completely (it will thicken more upon cooling) and served as a spreadable jam.

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.

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.

PUMPKIN GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Stir pumpkin and sugar together in a saucepan. Cover and let stand, 8 hours to overnight.
• Place unpeeled lemon wedges in a food processor; puree until smooth.
• Place pumpkin and sugar mixture in the saucepan over high heat. Stir in lemon and ginger. Bring to a rolling boil; cook, stirring frequently, until pumpkin is translucent but still holds its shape, about 30 minutes. Mash to desired consistency.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add jars and lids and boil for 5 minutes. Pack pumpkin mixture into hot jars and cover with lids. Let cool, then refrigerate and use within a month.

MARROW & GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Pare the zest from the lemons with a peeler, then juice them, keeping the juice, shells and any pips. Tie the shells and pips into a muslin bag. Put the marrow into a preserving pan with 2 tbsp of the lemon juice, then cook on a medium heat, stirring often, until the pieces are turning translucent and soft but not mushy. Bubble off any juices before stirring in the sugar, the rest of the juice, the zest, ginger and the muslin bag. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring to the boil, then simmer for about 10-15 mins or until the marrow has softened completely and the jam has reached setting point (see Tips, below). Pot the jam into warm jars (see below). The flavour of the jam will mature and intensify over the next few months, so tuck it away in a dark, cool place.

RHUBARB-GINGER JAM

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring over medium high heat until sugar dissolves.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Simmer until jam thickens and mounds on a spoon (about 20 minutes); stir often to prevent scorching.
• Transfer to jars, cover and chill. Keep refrigerated.

PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
• If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
• Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.