When winter sets in, the vibrant blend of tangy cranberries and the citrusy zing of oranges defines the season’s flavors. This delightful cranberry orange jam captures that essence perfectly, infusing warmth and spice into every spoonful. Not just a Christmas delight, this jam is a versatile companion, ideal as a cake filler, a delightful yogurt topping, or simply spread over warm toast.
Exploring the winter palate, cranberries stand out, offering a versatile tang that complements both sweet and savory dishes. However, their seasonal availability, typically between mid-September and early November, limits their accessibility. Transforming them into jam extends their enjoyment throughout the year. With jars tucked away in the pantry, creating an easy cake filling becomes a swift task.
Maximizing the Jam’s Versatility
Jams, in all their varied forms and flavors, hold a special place, and this cranberry orange variant reigns supreme, offering a multitude of uses.
Ingredients Needed:
Fresh Cranberries: Harvested seasonally between September and November, frozen cranberries can serve as substitutes, requiring defrosting and excess liquid removal.
Oranges: Opt for regular sweet oranges, tangerines, or clementines. Properly peel and desist from leaving excessive skin, as it might impart a bitter taste.
Orange Zest: Pre-soak oranges in warm vinegar-infused water to eliminate wax and impurities.
Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice yields the best flavor; avoid concentrate or synthetic alternatives.
Sugar: Plain granulated sugar forms the base, crucial in preserving the fruit. Dramatically altering the sugar quantity is ill-advised. For a sugar-free version, consider incorporating liquid pectin.
Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg compose the Christmassy flavor profile. Small amounts of allspice or cloves powder add an extra spicy dimension.
How To Make:
The process of creating this jam involves a concise 30-minute preparation period, straightforward and approachable. Begin by readying all ingredients: wash the cranberries, soak the oranges, peel, juice, and zest them.
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, ensuring a thorough mix to amalgamate flavors. Cook over medium heat until the juices begin to bubble, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir intermittently to crush the fruit, preventing scorching. Expect the jam to liquefy before thickening; patience is key.
While piping hot, pour the jam into sterilized jars, filling them to the brim. Immediately seal with a lid to capitalize on the heat, creating an airtight seal.
Storing Information:
A well-stored cranberry orange marmalade retains its flavors for up to a year in pantry-stored jars. Sealing the piping hot jam in jars with lids immediately ensures an airtight environment, suitable for room temperature storage.
Once opened, refrigerate the orange cranberry marmalade, consuming it within a month. Discard if mold develops atop the jam.