Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
You can make wonderful jams with sweet cherries. The key is to add something that offsets the sweetness. Last year I made some Cherry-Lime Jam, this year it is this sweet jam with a touch of sharp ginger.
Cherries and lime are excellent flavor partners. Lime’s tartness cuts cherry’s sweetness, enhancing the flavor of both. The texture here is similar to a marmalade or preserve.
I made this lovely cherry jam with hints of lemon and the smoothness of vanilla bean. Because cherries don't have a lot of natural pectin you will need pectin to help with the gelling process. I decided to try a liquid pectin.
Homemade Cherry Almond Jam makes a great, thoughtful holiday gift that’s budget-friendly and tastes like holiday cherry pie on your toast! The recipe includes step-by-step directions with photos.
Cherries DO have enough pectin to set, if you are willing to chop the fruit finely This jam starts with unpitted cherries, to make the process even easier.
Sour cherries are my most favorite fruit & sour cherry jam is the one jam that I am truly addicted to. For added flavor I added a bottle of circa 1970’s German Kirschwasser, or Cherry Brandy, which added loads of depth, taking the jam over the top!
