Apricot Jam

 Ingredients: ~3 kg of pitted and peeled apricots ~2 kg of sugar ~half a sachet of lemon salt ~a sachet of vanilla sugar

To prepare a delicious and fragrant apricot jam, we start by carefully selecting the apricots. It is ideal to choose well-ripe apricots, but not overly soft, to ensure that the jam will have a pleasant consistency. After cleaning the apricots, we wash them with cold water and cut them in half, removing the pits. In a large pot, preferably stainless steel, we place a first layer of apricots, followed by a generous layer of sugar. It is important to ensure that each apricot is well coated with sugar so that the juice extraction process is effective.

We place the pot on the stove over low heat, being careful not to let the sugar caramelize. At this point, the enticing aroma of the apricots will begin to spread throughout the kitchen. We let the mixture boil for about thirty minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. After the apricots have softened, we remove them with a spatula and set them aside, allowing the syrup to continue boiling. It is important for the syrup to reduce and become thicker, and it will take on a golden hue and an intense flavor.

Once the syrup reaches the desired consistency, it is time to add the lemon salt and vanilla sugar. These ingredients will not only enhance the flavor but also help in preserving the jam. We carefully mix, ensuring that the lemon salt and sugar dissolve completely. After the mixture is well homogenized, we reintroduce the apricots into the hot syrup, allowing them to soak up the sweet flavors and envelop in the rich syrup.

Once we have finished preparing the mixture, we get ready to transfer it into jars. It is essential that the jars are sterilized beforehand to prevent contamination. Using a ladle, we carefully pour the hot jam into the jars, leaving a small space at the top. We screw on the lids and place them upside down, a traditional method that helps create a vacuum and preserve the flavors. After the jars have completely cooled, we can store them in the pantry, where they can be enjoyed throughout the year, bringing a touch of summer to every serving.

 Tags:  sugar fruits lemon sweetness gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for children fat-free recipes