Description
Roasted beet jam brings rustic elegance to your breakfast spread, offering a sweet-earthy delicacy that captures summer’s essence. Smooth crimson spread promises gourmet moments where garden-fresh beets mingle with delicate spices, making each bite a delightful Mediterranean-inspired experience you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium beets (about 1 1/2 cups, roasted and pureed)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and prepare whole beets by individually wrapping them securely in aluminum foil packets to create a sealed environment for roasting.
- Roast the foil-wrapped beets for 45-60 minutes until they become completely tender when pierced with a fork, allowing their natural sugars to concentrate and develop deep flavor.
- Remove beets from oven and let them cool completely, then carefully peel away the skin and transform the roasted beets into a silky, smooth puree using a food processor or blender.
- Transfer the beet puree to a saucepan and combine with sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt, stirring ingredients thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle, bubbling boil, which will help dissolve the sugar and integrate the flavors.
- Reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking for 20-30 minutes until the jam begins to thicken.
- In the final 5 minutes of cooking, incorporate balsamic vinegar and vanilla to enhance the complexity of the jam’s flavor profile.
- Test the jam’s readiness by checking its consistency – it should coat the back of a spoon and appear slightly glossy and thick.
- While still warm, carefully transfer the jam into sterilized glass jars, ensuring a clean seal to maintain freshness.
- Refrigerate the jam, which will keep for up to 2 weeks, or process in a water bath for extended preservation.
Notes
- Select firm, fresh beets without blemishes to ensure the best flavor and texture in your jam.
- Wear disposable gloves while peeling roasted beets to prevent staining your hands with deep purple color.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on beet sweetness and personal preference, tasting during cooking process.
- Consider adding pectin if you prefer a firmer jam consistency that sets more quickly and holds shape better.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 49 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 92 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg