| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins – 50 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 400 | 14g | 7g | 75g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 73g | 3g | 3g | 0.1g |
The sight of glossy, rich Sweet Sampaloc Jam never fails to stir up feelings of both nostalgia and culinary excitement within me. This fruit-based recipe is one that I hold dear, as it’s not only delightful to the palate but also filled with health benefits. Plus, it’s an excellent way to harmonize with my Italian-American heritage, which has its own fair share of sweet, tangy treats
Connecting to My Roots
While I am known for my Italian-American dishes, I have always had a penchant for trying out recipes from different cultures. The Sweet Sampaloc Jam is a beloved dish in the Philippines made from tamarinds. My Italian grandparents would often prepare similar tangy-sweet preserves from fruits growing back home, invoking that familial, cozy vibe in meals. It’s not so different from apple butter or citrus marmalade that you’d find in Italian kitchens. Despite the differences in ingredients and tastes across cultures, the essence of family, tradition, and togetherness remain constant.
A Sweet Treat with Health Perks
The main ingredient, tamarind – or sampaloc as it’s known in the Philippines, is not just tasty but incredibly healthy. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber Healthline, which aids in digestion, helps control cholesterol levels, and even has anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the addition of lemon provides a fresh, citrusy punch, and a good dose of Vitamin C, essential for boosting your immunity.
Perfect Pairings
This Sweet Sampaloc Jam pairs incredibly well with a wide variety of dishes. Its sweet-tangy profile makes it a fantastic companion to savory breads and can even be included in your barbecue marinade, adding a new depth of flavor. You can slather it over warm, toasted bread, or even use it as a topping for your favorite vanilla ice cream. The possibilities are endless, and I encourage you to experiment with it in your kitchen.
Every time I prepare this Sweet Sampaloc Jam, it’s like I’m taking a stroll down memory lane. It’s an homage to my Italian-American heritage, yet it forges a connection to a culture and tradition miles away from mine. And isn’t that the beauty of food? It may be geographically bound, but it transcends boundaries, bringing us all together in a shared experience of flavors and joy.
What You’ll Need
- 4 cups fresh sampaloc (tamarinds)
- 3 cups white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Zest of 1 organic lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Method
Step One
To begin, you will need to clean the fresh sampaloc. Remove the shell and the seeds. Once this step is complete, you will be left with the pulp of the sampaloc for your jam.
Step Two
Next, take a large saucepan and combine the cleaned sampaloc, sugar, and water. Place the saucepan on medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
Step Three
Following this, add lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter to the mixture in the saucepan. Stir these ingredients together until everything is well combined.
Step Four
Continue to cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring regularly. In the meantime, you can chop your walnuts, if you choose to include them.
Step Five
Once your mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency, remove from heat. At this point, you can add the chopped walnuts to the jam and stir well.
Step Six
Cool the jam at room temperature. Once it has cooled, you can store the Sweet Sampaloc Jam in a clean jar and refrigerate.
This jam is delicious as a spread on toast, as a filling in pastries, or even as a topping for ice cream!
