Have you ever tried grape jam? It's a must and so easy to make. Imagine going into your garden, picking the most juicy grapes and turning them into a jar of pure magic. That's what I did... Enriched with the sweet and spicy notes of star anise, this grape jam is something special. Its rich aroma and vibrant color add a touch of luxury, while the taste is both distinctive and unforgettable...
Easy
45 - 50 min
A big jar
Ingredients
- 1 kg grapes (you can use seedless grapes, otherwise take out the seeds)
- 350 g granulated sugar
- 1 banana
- 1 apple (without its peel)
- 3 - 4 star anise pods
- 2 – 3 tbsp of lemon juice
How to
- Place grapes, banana slices and apple cut into cubes in a wide, low – sided pot and add the sugar.
- Boil over medium heat and stir often, removing the foam. After 10 min add the star anise pods.
- Continue boiling for about 25 - 30 min.
- Before the last boil, remove the star anise pods, let the jam cool, put it in a blender and make it as smooth as you prefer.
- Put it back in the saucepan, add lemon juice and boil for another 3 - 5 min.
- Canning: Pour immediately into hot sterile jars, turn upside down and store in a cool, dark, dry place when cool. Once opened, store in the refrigerator. Without canning: Transfer to sterile jars and store in the refrigerator when cool.
Note from Greek jar:
The total boiling time for the jam to set will depend on how juicy or not the grapes are.
The sweetness of the jam will also depend on grape variety. However, it is best not to reduce the sugar below 1/3 of the amount of fruit so that it can act as a preservative.
Instead of star anise, you can add a herb or aromatic of your choice.
Homemade jams and marmalades do not contain preservatives and they should ideally be consumed within a year or even earlier for the best quality and safety.