Looking for a family project for a rainy fall weekend? Find some empty jars, sterilize them and get your kids involved in making this delicious jam. Everyone gets a turn chopping and stirring and of course tasting the result afterwards. Pears are at their best right now and the jam also tastes amazingly with cheeses and cold cuts. And you’ll enjoy it even more knowing that there is actually three times more fruit than sugar in this one, unlike most jams that you’ll find in supermarkets.
Pear, apple and ginger jam (makes about 2 3/4 lbs)
2lbs firm pears, peeled, cored and chopped
1lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
4oz crystallized ginger, very finely chopped
1lb brown sugar
zest and juice of 1 lemon
Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer until the fruit has softened, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender until the desired consistency has been reached. Pour the jam into hot sterilized jars, seal and turn upside down and allow to cool completely before storing. This jam keeps for about 6 months.
