Description
Homemade quince jam by Jamie Oliver celebrates British culinary traditions with its delicate balance of sweet and tart flavors. Preserving seasonal quinces in a simple, elegant method ensures rich, aromatic spread you can enjoy throughout winter months.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) quince, chopped
- 900 g (2 lbs) preserving sugar
- 1 lemon, zest peeled into strips, juiced
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously wash and dice quince into uniform chunks, incorporating lemon peel and juice into a deep cooking pot. Cover with water and prepare for initial cooking stage.
- Initial Cooking: Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 90 minutes until quince becomes exceptionally tender, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
- Straining Process: Position a muslin cloth over a large colander set atop a heatproof container. Pour cooked quince mixture through the cloth, allowing pure liquid to strain slowly for 4-8 hours without disturbance.
- Sugar Integration: Measure extracted juice and add preserving sugar at the precise ratio of 500 grams sugar per 600 milliliters liquid. Initiate sugar dissolution by heating mixture over low temperature, stirring consistently to ensure complete crystal integration.
- Jelly Formation: Incrementally increase heat, carefully monitoring temperature until it reaches exactly 105 degrees Celsius. This critical point signals the perfect jelly consistency and signals readiness for final preparation.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and gently incorporate orange blossom water, stirring to distribute the delicate floral essence throughout the mixture.
- Preservation: Sterilize glass jars meticulously. Carefully ladle molten jelly into containers, sealing immediately to lock in vibrant flavors and ensure maximum preservation potential.
- Storage: Transfer sealed jars to a cool, dark environment where they will maintain exceptional quality for up to twelve months, preserving the essence of this artisanal quince jam.
Notes
- Prep with Precision: Wash quinces thoroughly and cut into consistent chunks to ensure even cooking and uniform texture.
- Strain Strategically: Use a clean muslin cloth and let the mixture drip slowly for 4-8 hours to extract maximum flavor and achieve a clear, pure liquid.
- Sugar Science: Maintain the exact sugar-to-juice ratio of 500g sugar per 600ml liquid for perfect setting and balanced sweetness.
- Temperature Triumph: Watch the cooking temperature closely and aim for exactly 105°C to guarantee the ideal jam consistency without burning or undercooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 180g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg