| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 0g | 0g | 70g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 66g | 2g | 0.5g | 0.01g |
Living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I’ve come across a myriad of unique and tantalizing ingredients. One such gem is the Macopa, or Mountain Apple. Its delightful tanginess makes it a favorite of mine to work with, especially when I’m crafting something sweet yet hearty. Behold, the Macopa Jam–a fruit-based recipe that packs a punch.
A Twist on Tradition
The Macopa Jam is a unique twist on the classic apple jam. To the untrained palette, it’s a similar experience–it’s sweet, slightly tangy and undeniably satisfying. But this recipe has a certain freshness to it, a crisp zing that only the Macopa fruit can provide. It reminds me of a cooler, slightly tart cousin to applesauce, or a less saccharine version of apple butter. Your taste buds will dance with its refreshing complexity.
Mountain Apple’s Many Benefits
There’s also a healthy edge to this recipe. A piece of research from the National Institute of Health reveals potential health benefits the Macopa fruit possesses. It’s a rich source of antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E. These antioxidants strengthen your immune system and protect your cells from damage by harmful molecules known as free radicals. Now, I’m definitely not saying that Macopa Jam is a miracle cure-all, but those are some pretty nifty side benefits.
Making Macopa Jam is a sensory experience – it fills the house with a distinctive warm, fruity aroma that can only be associated with cozy, homecooked sweets. This isn’t just a jam for toast or a PB&J, though. Try it spooned over vanilla ice cream for a dessert that’s both simple and decadent, or liven up your usual pork chops with a spread of this jam. Even Gordon, my partner, who isn’t much of a sweet tooth, has made several requests for me to create more dishes integrating this jam. Yes, it’s that good.
But don’t just take my word for it, go forth and make your own Macopa Jam. Your palate and your dinner guests will thank you.
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups Macopa (also known as Mountain Apple), cored and chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 package (1.75 ounces) fruit pectin
Method
Step One
Start by thoroughly washing the Macopa fruits. Once they are clean, remove the cores and chop them into small pieces.
Step Two
Place the chopped Macopa fruits into a large saucepan along with the sugar, lemon juice, and water. Stir them together until they are well mixed.
Step Three
Turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fruit becomes soft.
Step Four
Once the fruit is soft, slowly add the fruit pectin to the saucepan while continually stirring the mixture. Be careful to avoid any clumps of pectin from forming.
Step Five
Continue to cook the mixture while stirring it frequently. Allow it to boil for another 10 minutes.
Step Six
Turn off the heat and let the jam cool for a few minutes. Once it’s cool, transfer it to clean jars and seal them tightly.
Step Seven
Let the jam set by placing the jars in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or until it has reached the desired consistency.
Step Eight
Once the jam has set, it is ready to be enjoyed! Spread it on your favorite bread or use it as a topping for desserts.
