 |
| Pineapple Guava-Ginger Jam |
Today, while I watched the House hearings, I made pineapple guava (feijoa) and ginger jam! This is the first time I've ever made this particular type of jam because, it is the first time I've had enough guavas from my tree to do anything other than eat each day's pickings. So, after a brunch of leftover pancakes and bacon, I cut and scooped out the pulp from all the pineapple guavas I had picked this week. Some of them looked perfect on the outside, but, were discolored and spoiled, inside, and I discarded them. The remaining guavas yielded 2 1/2 lbs. of guava pulp with which to make jam!
After I weighed out the fruit, I weighed out an equal amount of sugar, as that's my universal jam recipe; 1 lb. sugar to 1 lb. fruit. I also added the juice and zest of a couple of small lemons and then, boiled all of it. It tasted a bit bland, to me, so I cut up some preserved ginger that I had on hand and added that to the mixture, too, to get pineapple guava and ginger jam! If I didn't have any preserved ginger, I would have added a couple of sticks of cinnamon. At the end of a couple of hours of constant stirring and boiling, I had enough jam for 11 half pint (8 oz) jars (for those of you who might not be aware of it, the American pint is 16 oz., not 20 oz. like the Imperial pint). The majority of these jars will be put aside to be given as holiday gifts, but, daughter and I will open one when she comes home for Thanksgiving.
I washed the utensils I used as I went and wiped up the stove top and counters. So, I only had the jam pan and spoon to wash up at the end. The house smelled delicious by the time I finished the jam making!
By then, it was around 4:00 p.m. and I was too tired to go to the fabric store (besides, I would have got caught to the evening commute traffic). The fabric sale is going on till Saturday, so, my plan is to go to the store, tomorrow.
I had a cup of tea and rested for awhile. Then, I showered as I felt I was sticky with jam all over! LOL. Afterwards, I did two loads of laundry.
Giving homemade jam as holiday gifts has become one of my traditions and everyone seems to look forward to receiving a jar of it, each year. LOL. It is a frugal gift for me to give, because I use homegrown fruit (or buy fruit on sale) to keep the costs down. Often, the costliest item is the jar. I can't quite remember how much I paid for the box of jars (I bought them last year), but, they are usually under $10 for a box of 12 jars (I buy the plain jars, not the fancy, "quilted" jars which cost more). The only additional cost for this particular batch of jam was for sugar, bought at $.50/lb. (and gas to cook the jam, which I don't take into account).
Today, I am grateful for:
- Guavas and lemons from my garden
- Homemade jam
- Frugal holiday gifts
- Working appliances
- A sunny day
Today's joyful activity was making jam!
Plans for Friday include going to the fabric store, changing bed sheets, and doing more laundry. Oh, and picking up my daughter from the airport! LOL!
How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday? What are your favorite jams?
Wow,this jam must be amazing, I haven't tried this flavour before! Homemade is the best for sure☺ Have a lovely weekend ☺
ReplyDeleteI liked the bits I tasted, while it was cooking. I hope others like it, too. :) Thanks, Natalia; hope you, too, have a good weekend.
DeleteOh my, that looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun, although, towards the end, I was getting tired of standing and stirring until the consistency was right for jam!
DeleteOh my, this jam sounds delicious, and who doesn't like getting homemade goodies?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. As I said, this was the first time I made this particular type of jam, but, it tasted good to me. Not like the carrot jam I once made or the tomato preserves! LOL.
DeleteI have never had pineapple guava, but it looks good and sounds good. I'm sure it will be a welcome gift to all who receive it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I guess I'll find out, after I hand them out! :D
DeleteThose jars look the same as our 250 ml jars. My DH is driven nuts by non-metric measurements, even after growing up in the UK where they still use miles and fahrenheit. We were driving a rental today and he had me looking in the manual to see if he could change the temperature indicator to celsius!
ReplyDeleteYour jam will make lovely gifts, homemade jam with your own special tweak is priceless!
Yes, you are right, Bushlady; 8 fl. oz, is 250 ml. They switched to metric in Sri Lanka, too, but, I had left the country before that, so, I never really used it in daily life.
DeleteThank you. I am hoping to make one more batch of jam (a different kind) and that will put me in a good place where holiday gifts are concerned, this year!
Your plants in your yard (other post) look so healthy! I love your jam...so nice of you to give as gifts! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. Yes, the plants are coming along well. I already gave the first jar of jam, today, to my friend M who helps me with the garden. :)
DeleteWow you were busy! I love homemade jam. I used to make it with a friend and give it for gifts, but not lately. Perhaps next summer I shall make myself some!
ReplyDeleteI was tired after I made that batch of jam, but, it feels good to know I have at least some of my gifts made! I hope you'll be able to make some jam, next summer. Maybe some strawberry jam?
DeleteI’ve never had guava jam. It sounds delicious. Is it sweet? My favorite jam is apricot because it’s not very sweet.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend with your daughter, Bless.
Well, this is the first time I've made guava jam and, yes, it is sweet. My daughter, too, prefers jams that are not too sweet, but, you know how it is with me - every single tooth I have is a sweet tooth! :D
DeleteThanks, Nil. She's down for the whole of next week, so I am really looking forward to spending some time with her. :)