Blenheim Apricot and Pineapple Jam RECIPE
From Deborah Olson’s farm kitchen
This is an old-fashioned recipe that my Grandmother Rose taught me. It has always been a winner in my household.
Take time during the short apricot season to make a batch; you’ll be glad you did. Our Blenheim apricots are grown in Sunnyvale, Ca. at the Sunnyvale Community Center.
Enjoy!
Deborah Olson
Fourth Generation
Time: The process takes approximately 2 ½ hours
Makes 9 pint jars
Ingredients
8 cups of washed, pitted and halved Olson’s Blenheim apricots
5 cups of sugar
1 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple
Juice from 2-3 lemons in a small bowl (this helps cut down on the sweetness of the apricots);(Make sure there are no lemon seeds in the juice.)
Directions
Put everything into a heavy pan. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, until the fruit has broken down. Bring to a slow boil, lower the temperature, to let it cook down as the thickening process will begin. Let simmer slowly for 1 ½ hours, stirring often and keeping an eye on the jam so it does not burn.
When it has reached the desired consistency, (I like mine a little thinner than most) put some on a plate and refrigerate.
Taste the jam when it’s cool to determine if you want to add more lemon juice or sugar. You can see if it is thick enough when cold. If it isn’t, cook it a little longer. Don’t overcook the jam, it may caramelize and lose that lovely apricot color.
As the jam is cooking, start processing your jars; have them washed, sterilized, warmed and ready to fill. Fill the warm jars with jam, leaving 1/8th head space. There should be chunks of apricots and pineapple visible. Make sure the rim is cleaned with a warm T- towel. Seal or coat with paraffin. After a couple of hours, you will here a popping sound. That means that the jam has sealed.
Enjoy your jam throughout the year, it is worth the effort.