Description
Homemade rhubarb jam brings together tart spring stalks with sweet sugar in a classic preserve. Crimson spread sparkles on morning toast, offering pure seasonal delight for home cooks craving fresh preserves.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups/946 ml chopped fresh rhubarb
- 2 cups/400 g granulated sugar
- ¼ cup/60 ml water
- 2 tbsps/30 ml lemon juice
- 1 tsp/5 ml vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly wash rhubarb stalks under cool water, trimming away any rough edges or imperfections. Chop the crimson stems into consistent, neat cubes to ensure uniform cooking and texture.
- Cooking Base: Place rhubarb in a robust, wide-bottomed saucepan. Add granulated sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice, creating a foundation for a complex, vibrant jam with natural pectin development.
- Heat Activation: Ignite the burner to medium heat, gently stirring the mixture to dissolve sugar evenly and prevent potential burning. Allow the ingredients to merge and release their inherent flavors, watching as the rhubarb begins to break down and release its natural juices.
- Simmering Process: Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, continuing to stir periodically. The mixture will gradually transform, thickening into a glossy, rich preserve with a deep, jewel-like appearance.
- Flavor Enhancement: During the final cooking moments, introduce pure vanilla extract to elevate the jam’s aromatic profile, adding depth and complementing the rhubarb’s natural tanginess.
- Preservation: Conduct the cold plate test to verify perfect spreading consistency. Immediately remove from heat and let the jam rest briefly before carefully transferring to sterilized glass containers, sealing in the vibrant flavors and colors.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Rhubarb: Select crisp, vibrant stalks without blemishes or soft spots for the most intense flavor and best jam texture.
- Manage Sugar Carefully: Balance sweetness by adjusting sugar quantity; rhubarb’s tartness requires careful sugar compensation to achieve perfect jam consistency.
- Prevent Burning: Use low-medium heat and stir frequently to avoid scorching, ensuring smooth jam development and preventing bitter undertones.
- Test Jam Readiness: Perform cold plate test by dropping a small amount on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles when pushed, the jam has reached ideal setting point.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg