Exotic and healthy feijoa jam

The benefits and contraindications of feijoa

This somewhat unassuming green fruit, more accurately called a berry since it's only 5-6 cm in size, is a veritable treasure trove of vitamins and essential micronutrients. Its main benefit lies in its iodine content, which rivals that of nuts and seafood. The iodine is soluble, making it easily absorbed and retained even after cooking.

In addition to iodine, the berry contains potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, several B vitamins, vitamins A and P, and a large amount of vitamin C, making it indispensable during cold and flu season. The fruit's healing properties are due to the phenolic compounds in the peel, which have an antioxidant effect, and the fiber in the pulp, which improves gastrointestinal function and promotes detoxification.

Regular consumption of the product – whether raw or in the form of jam – serves as a good preventative measure:

• development of atherosclerosis;
• various tumors;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys;
• thyroid pathologies caused by iodine deficiency;
• viral diseases and colds;
• nervous disorders and depression;
• to purify the blood;
• to improve immunity;
• to improve memory.

It is also worth listing the pathologies and conditions in which the berry can harm the body:

• hyperthyroidism (excessive production of iodine by the thyroid gland);
• diabetes mellitus;
• obesity – the calorie content of berries is 205 kcal/100 g;
• pregnancy, lactation period and children under 1 year of age;
• It is also not recommended to combine fresh product with milk.

Video: Feijoa at Home

This video will show you how to grow feijoa at home.

Preparation of products

To make jam, you should use ripe feijoas. These are difficult to find, as they are harvested and sold unripe. At home, green berries can be left for several days in a ventilated area, where they will acquire softness and a characteristic tropical flavor. You can check the ripeness of a berry by cutting it in half. Ripe flesh should be gelatinous and translucent. If it's white, the fruit is unripe; if it's brown, it's spoiled.

Preparing the berries involves washing, drying, and trimming off the stems and flower heads. If the skins are to be used in jam, they can be lightly parboiled. Further processing follows the recipe. In most cases, the process involves completely crushing the berries with the skins on; in some cases, they are cut into pieces, slices, and the pulp is separated from the skin.

Cooking without boiling

The healthiest jam comes from fresh fruit. This delicacy is the easiest to prepare, as it doesn't require cooking. All you need is equal parts fresh berries and sugar.

The step-by-step process looks like this:

1. Prepared berries are crushed in a blender.
2. The resulting mass is combined with sugar and mixed.
3. Let stand until the sugar dissolves.
4. Then transfer into sterilized jars and close tightly with lids.

This jam does not last long, even in the refrigerator, so you should not prepare it in large quantities.

Recipes with different additives

For gourmets and connoisseurs of unusual flavors, we offer a step-by-step recipe for feijoa jam using various ingredients.

With lemon

This jam can rightfully be called jam, since it contains pectin, which, after cooling, gives the mass a uniform jelly-like consistency.

So, for cooking you will need:

• fresh berries – 1.5 kg;
• 150 ml lemon juice;
• 200 ml of water;
• sugar – 1.5 kg;
• pectin powder – 2 packets.

Cut the fruit into pieces, add water, and simmer, stirring, for half an hour. Meanwhile, in another container, combine the lemon juice, sugar, and pectin and heat until the crystals dissolve. Combine the two ingredients and simmer for another 30 minutes. Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars.

With nuts

For this option you will need the following ingredients:

• fresh berries – 1 kg;
• sugar – 1 kg;
• orange – 1 pc.;
• any nuts – 200 g.

Scoop out the pulp from the oranges with a spoon, sprinkle it with sugar, and let it sit for 2 hours. Meanwhile, peel the oranges, cut the rind into thin strips, and finely chop the pulp. Roast the nuts and lightly crush them. Once the berries release their juice, combine all the ingredients and simmer until thickened. Pour the hot jam into jars.

With pears

This aromatic treat will appeal to lovers of savory flavors. To prepare it, you'll need:

• berries – 1 kg;
• sugar – 2 cups;
• medium-sized pears – 2 pcs.;
• white wine (sweet or semi-sweet) – 150 ml.

Remove the pulp from the pears. Peel, core, and dice the pears. Combine all ingredients and stir. The jam is cooked in three stages: each time, bring the mixture to a boil, then cool. After the third cooking, pour the hot treat into sterilized jars.

With apples

Ingredients required:

• fresh berries – 0.5 kg;
• apples – 0.5 kg;
• sugar – 3 cups;
• a pinch of citric acid.

Wash the peeled fruit, cut it into pieces, and sprinkle it with sugar. Peel the apples and cut them into wedges. Once the syrup forms, add the apples. Cook the jam until it thickens, about 20 minutes. Finally, add citric acid, and pour into jars while hot.

As you can see, preparing this sweet treat from this exotic berry doesn't take much time. To ensure the jam benefits your body, make sure there are no contraindications before consuming it.