Description
Sweet memories of Mediterranean orchards come alive with Homemade Orange Jam, a sunshine-filled preserve that whispers stories of ripe citrus harvests. Fragrant orange slices simmered with sugar create a luscious spread perfect for morning toast or elegant dessert pairings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 35 ounces (1 kilogram) oranges
- Juice of 1 lemon
Sweeteners:
- 26 ounces (737 grams) granulated sugar
Liquids:
- 17 fluid ounces (500 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Sanitize work area and gather essential tools for precise jam preparation. Meticulously cleanse oranges under cool running water to eliminate surface residues.
- Delicately remove orange peels, transforming them into gossamer-thin strips, carefully extracting bitter white membrane. Segment fruit flesh, methodically discarding any embedded seeds.
- Transfer citrus pieces and refined peel strips into expansive cooking vessel. Incorporate granulated sweetener, tangy citrus extract, and liquid enhancement to create foundational jam mixture.
- Activate moderate thermal intensity, stirring continuously until crystalline sugar completely dissolves. Transition to minimal heat, allowing mixture to gently simmer and gradually transform, approximately 45-55 minutes.
- Monitor jam’s viscosity through precision techniques: deposit small quantity onto refrigerated ceramic surface. Trace finger across sample – wrinkled texture indicates optimal jam consistency. Alternatively, utilize culinary thermometer, targeting precise 220°F temperature point.
- Terminate cooking process, carefully decanting molten preserve into sterilized glass receptacles. Maintain minimal headspace, approximately quarter-inch from container rim. Meticulously cleanse vessel edges to ensure pristine sealing environment.
- Position filled containers inversely on clean surface, facilitating natural cooling and creating hermetic vacuum seal. Allow complete temperature equilibration before storing in cool, dark location.
Notes
- Selecting oranges matters hugely for flavor intensity, so choose ripe, fragrant fruits with smooth, unblemished skin for best results.
- Removing white pith thoroughly prevents unwanted bitterness, making your jam smoother and more refined in taste.
- Use pectin powder if you prefer quicker setting and more consistent jam texture, especially for less naturally pectin-rich citrus fruits.
- Consider reducing sugar by 25% for a less sweet version, which works perfectly for those watching calorie intake or preferring more natural fruit flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 256
- Sugar: 63 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg