It’s been a while since I’ve made a batch of tasty jam. I had a bounty of strawberries left over from a recent recipe, so I thought I would revisit the process. Fresh strawberries are cooked in a mixture of sugar, salt, vinegar, cardamom and coriander. The finished product is like regular strawberry jam with the volume turned way up. The sweetness of the jam is pleasantly cut by bright vinegar and kosher salt. Simply enjoy this jam spread on warm, crusty bread or a freshly baked scone. I also tried a spoonful on a scoop of cool vanilla ice cream. Pure perfection. I’m actually getting chills right now thinking about it. I should also mention that the cooking process only takes about 20 minutes. That’s right. You can have fresh, homemade jam in under a half an hour. Continue reading for the recipe.
Pickled Strawberry Jam
Adapted from The New York Times.
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon powdered pectin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
5 coriander seeds
1 cardamom pod
3 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
Add sugar, powdered pectin and kosher salt to a medium bowl, whisking to combine.
In a medium saucepan, add sherry vinegar, rice wine vinegar, coriander and cardamom. Bring to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, remove from the heat and fish out the cardamom and coriander. Discard the spices.
Add the sugar to the saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until combined. The mixture will seem dry at first; just keep stirring and everything will eventually moisten up (similar to wet sand). Add the quartered strawberries and continue to stir, using your wooden spoon to crush and break up the berries. Continue to stir and crush until the mixture turns to liquid and comes to a boil. Continue to boil until thickened, stirring constantly (about 5 minutes).
Transfer the jam to a heat-proof bowl and let cool completely. Pour into jars, seal and store in the refrigerator.
Makes 3 cups.
Jchongdesign says
hi brandon – yum love jam. i like the chevron napkin where is that from!?
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Thanks Jennifer 🙂 The napkin is from west elm. They have some really funny printed napkins right now.
Averie says
Brandon this looks awesome and “like regular strawberry jam with the volume turned way up.”— is music to my ears. Pun intended 🙂
My mom used to can jam all the time and it would take her hours and hours in the kitchen w/ boiling vats of water. Sometimes she’d make strawberry freezer jam as she called it which didnt take AS long. I love the 20 min disclaimer of yours!
And I saw your last post make FBuzz Top 9…briefly…one day. And then, they put their older Top 9’s back up? I was confused but i DID see your recipe. Congrats!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Haha, thanks Averie! Well I didn’t put this jam through the canning processes to make it shelf stable (which usually takes longer). However, the jam will keep for about 1 month in the fridge. Didn’t even last that long in my fridge though 🙂 I devoured in just over a week.
Yes, my Goat Cheese Ice Cream made the Top 9. Thanks again!!