Elderberry jam
Elderberry Jam – a natural delicacy
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 5 jars of 300g
Elderberry jam is a simple and quick recipe, perfect for those who want to enjoy a healthy dessert with a unique taste. This sweet treat not only adds a touch of flavor to your table, but it's also an excellent way to preserve elderberries. Let's see step by step how you can obtain this delight!
Ingredients:
- 1 kg elderberries (made from elderflowers, but the berries are also edible)
- 500 g sugar
- 250 ml water
- 1 lemon (juice and grated peel)
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for flavor)
- A pinch of salt
Step 1: Preparing the berries
Start by washing the elderberries very well. Choose ripe berries that are dark purple, avoiding those that are damaged or unripe. Rinse them under cold running water and, using a fork, detach the berries from the clusters. This step is essential for obtaining a clean and flavorful jam.
Step 2: Preparing the syrup
In a large pot, add water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Place the pot over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the syrup starts to boil, let it boil for 5 minutes. This step will help the jam to bind well.
Step 3: Boiling the berries
Add the elderberries to the hot syrup, along with the lemon juice and grated peel. If you want a more intense flavor, you can also add the cinnamon stick. Mix well and let everything simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The jam is ready when the berries become soft and the syrup thickens.
Step 4: Bottling
To keep the jam in the best condition, it is important to use clean and sterilized jars. In the meantime, prepare the jars: wash them well with hot water and let them dry. When the jam is ready, fill the jars with the hot mixture, leaving a small space at the top. Seal the jars with the lids and turn them upside down to create a vacuum.
Step 5: Cooling and storage
Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature. Once they have cooled, label them with the preparation date and store them in a cool, dark place. Elderberry jam can be kept for a year, but it's so delicious that it surely won't last that long!
Serving suggestions and variations
Elderberry jam is perfect for serving on toast, pancakes, or even combined with yogurt. You can also add some chopped nuts for extra texture. Additionally, you can experiment with adding other fruits, such as apples or pears, to create a customized jam.
This elderberry jam recipe is not just a way to savor the flavors of summer, but also an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of these wonderful fruits, known for their antioxidant properties. So, don't hesitate to try this simple recipe and delight your family with a traditional and healthy dessert!
I washed the elderberries in 2-3 waters and started to clean the berries off the clusters. I weighed them and added the gelling powder (Gelfix). I put everything on the heat until it started to boil, stirring continuously. I blended the elderberries with this mixer; it was easier than waiting for them to boil until the berries burst. I put the pot with the jam back on the heat, and when it started to boil, I added the sugar, using only half of the amount of sugar indicated on the package. It gelled well. I put the jam in jars and turned them upside down for about 5 minutes, and the jam is ready. Enjoy your meal! The recipe for Elderberry Jam was proposed by Aphrodite on the recipe forum.
Ingredients: 1 kg of elderberries (for 4 jars), gelling powder, sugar.
