Popular recipes for aromatic melon jam

Preparation of products

The main ingredient of the jam is, of course, melon—a large, seeded fruit covered in a tough, rind. Only the pulp is used in the jam, so the melon must be peeled and seeded, then cut into small, randomly shaped pieces. Cubes are the easiest way, but the dessert will look more appealing if you use special knives for slicing fruit into shapes.

When choosing a melon, it's recommended to choose ripe ones with firm, not overripe flesh, which have already acquired the characteristic honey flavor and melon aroma. The advantage of such fruits is that the pieces will retain their shape when cooked, and the syrup will be clear. But this is a matter of taste. Overripe melons with sugary flesh make equally delicious thick jams, preserves, or marmalades.

To enhance the dessert's flavor, melon is combined with various berries, fruits, citrus juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. These ingredients should be prepared in advance: wash, peel, and chop the fruit. Don't forget to buy vanilla or cinnamon if the recipe calls for it. Also, prepare the jars ahead of time.

Video: Melon and Lemon Jam

In this video, you'll learn a delicious recipe for melon jam with lemon.

Classical

In the classic version, jam can be prepared in two ways: in its own juice or in syrup.

For the first option you will need:

• sliced ​​melon pulp – 2 kg;
• sugar – 1.4 kg (if the variety is very sweet, you can add less sugar);
• citric acid – 3 g.

Layer the melon in a deep bowl, sprinkling each layer with sugar, and let it sit for half an hour. Once the juice has formed, return the bowl to the stove, simmer for 5-10 minutes, and let it cool for 4 hours. Then, bring the cooled sweet mixture back to a boil and simmer for another 5 minutes. This jam will be slightly runny, but will retain its flavor. If thickness is important, simmer for 10-20 minutes, depending on the desired consistency.

To make jam in syrup you need the following ingredients:

• 1 kg of melon;
• sugar – 0.6 kg;
• water – 1.5 cups;
• citric acid – 3 g.

In this version, the step-by-step recipe for classic melon jam looks like this:

1. Place the diced pulp in boiling water for 5 minutes and blanch.
2. Place the pieces in a colander to remove water.
3. We prepare a simple syrup from water, acid and sugar.
4. Pour syrup over the melon and let it sit for 5-6 hours.
5. Then place the container on the fire, bring the jam to a boil and simmer at the lowest heat for 15 minutes.
6. Pour into sterilized containers.

With bananas

The combination of these two ingredients gives the jam an interesting flavor and makes it quite thick. To make it, you'll need:

• melon pulp – 1.6 kg;
• sugar - 1.6 kg;
• banana – 4 medium-sized pieces;
• vodka – 100 ml;
• citric acid – 5 g.

Cover the sliced ​​melon with sugar and leave it for 5-6 hours. It's best to do this in the evening so that a lot of juice has formed by morning. Once the melon has released its juice, add the acid, stir, and simmer for half an hour. Add the sliced ​​bananas to the mixture and continue simmering until everything has turned into a puree. When the jam has thickened to the desired consistency, add the alcohol and simmer for a little longer.

With lemon

For this dessert you will need the following ingredients:

• melon pulp – 1 kg;
• 0.7 kg sugar;
• 1 large lemon;
• vanilla – 3 g.

The step-by-step preparation process is as follows:

1. Sprinkle the melon with sugar and leave it overnight so that it releases juice and is soaked in syrup.
2. In the morning, add thinly sliced ​​citrus fruits with zest to this mixture.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.
4. Leave for 10 hours to soak.
5. After the required time, boil again for 10 minutes.
6. Let it sit for another 8 hours.
7. Boil for the last 15 minutes. Shortly before the end of cooking, add the vanilla.

Pour into sterilized containers. This treat is great for boosting immunity and helping fight colds.

With apples

Ingredients required:

• melon pulp, crushed in a blender - 1.4 kg;
• non-acidic apples – 0.5 kg;
• sugar – 0.5 kg
• zest of 1 lemon.

Mix the puréed melon with sugar and simmer over low heat until slightly thickened. Meanwhile, peel and cut each apple into pieces, and grate the zest. Add the zest and apples to the mixture and simmer for another 5 minutes. The dessert is ready.

With cinnamon

Amber jam with a cinnamon stick is an exceptional dessert that is good on its own or as a topping for ice cream, milkshakes, and other sweet dishes.

For this you will need:

• melon pieces - 2 kg;
• sugar – 2 kg;
• vodka – 150-200 ml;
• water – 400 ml;
• a little lemon or citrus juice;
• cinnamon at the rate of 1 stick per jar.

Step-by-step cooking process:

1. You need to cook syrup from water, vodka and sugar.
2. Place pieces of melon, scalded with boiling water, into the syrup.
3. Cook them until translucent, making sure they don’t overcook.
4. Turn off the heat and leave to cool for 12 hours.
5. After this time, remove the melon from the syrup and reduce the remaining liquid by half.
6. Add acid to the syrup, add the melon pieces back and cook for another 15 minutes.

Now you can do it in two ways: take out the melon if you only want the syrup, or leave it and enjoy the sweet, sugary pieces.

This jam is sealed while hot, with a cinnamon stick dipped into each jar.

When the flavors combine, you get a delicious and healthy dessert that will make even the harshest winter with its colds look effortless.